NZ - Royal Society’s Chief Called to Resign over Fluoridation

Royal Society’s Chief Called to Resign over Fluoridation
Tuesday, 16 October 2012, 4:59 pm
Press Release: NZ Fluoridation Information Service
Royal Society’s Chief Called to Resign over Fluoridation Review Debacle
NZFIS
Wellington
11 October 2012

Contrary to the claims that the Royal Society’s call for scientific information on fluoridation “did not elicit any new information indicating that a further review would be of value at present” the Society received almost 1000 pages of fully referenced scientific information showing fluoridation to be a significant health risk, as well as being ineffective at reducing tooth decay.

This information included many of the IQ studies recently reviewed under the umbrella of the Harvard School of Public Health, by world-leading scientists in the field of developmental neurotoxicology. The review was published in the leading journal Environmental Health Perspectives, and its findings directly contradict the recent statement by Professor Skegg.

Professor Skegg’s statement is simply a “complete fabrication”, according to Mark Atkin, CE of the NZ Fluoridation Information Service, who continues “It suggests the real reason the plug was pulled on the Royal Society’s review. The Society could not have maintained scientific integrity unless it recommended fluoridation be stopped, given the extensive scientific information we supplied. This would have directly conflicted with Professor Skegg’s blind support of public health’s entrenched fluoridation policy. Professor Skegg’s statement is simply propaganda - a betrayal of science and the statutory role of the Royal Society. Having put propaganda and personal beliefs above scientific integrity, he should resign immediately before he further damages the credibility of the Royal Society.”

The claim of “extensive research over many decades indicating fluoridation is [safe and effective]” has been fully discredited by the York Review 2000 and the US National Research Council Review 2006. “Any scientist with any knowledge of the fluoridation issue would know this. There is a saying: ‘when a scientist abuses his position in society of trust and authority to mislead the public, he does not become a dishonest scientist – he simply ceases to be a scientist. This blind repetition of propaganda shows that Professor Skegg has ceased to be a scientist”, concludes Mr Atkin.

About NZFIS

The NZ Fluoridation Information Service was established in early 2011 to provide accurate and reliable information on fluoridation, in the face of the creation by the Ministry of Health of its lobby group the National Water Fluoridation Support and Co-ordination Service, misrepresenting itself as an objective information service, and the increasing levels of misinformation and propaganda issuing from the Ministry of Health, District Health boards, and the NZ Dental Association.