Sciblogs | Open Parachute Archives

Are fluoride researchers sacked for their findings?

Ken Perrott • Aug 11, 2017

Heard the one about the scientist who was doing excellent research but was sacked by her Institute because her discoveries shattered the prevailing “scientific orthodoxies?” Yes, it is a common claim. Often made by activists promoting conspiracy theories. But it is an easy one to make and it is always worth checking the facts in such cases. Of course, the … Read More

Fluoridation and cancer

Ken Perrott • Aug 08, 2017

We all know the phrase “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” If nothing else, this should warn us not to take on faith arguments which rely on statistical analysis for their credibility. Wikipedia uses this phrase to illustrate the “persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments.” Yes, you have. And one lie is the claim that fluoridation causes … Read More

Local anti-fluoride activists tell porkies yet again

Ken Perrott • Aug 03, 2017

Well, I suppose that’s not news. A bit surprising, though, because they are claiming the absence of research on fluoridation and IQ – which sort of conflicts with the previous attempts to actually condemn and misrepresent the actual research on fluoridation and IQ. Fluoride Free NZ’s (FFNZ) face book page is claiming: Would you be interested to know that no studies … Read More

The main stream media is out of touch

Ken Perrott • Jul 24, 2017

I find the US mainstream media particularly boring and uninformative these days. It has become embedded in a partisan political campaign and seems to go into a frenzy over every bit of “evidence” or fake news it can garner, invent, or exaggerate in an apparent attempt to reverse the results of last year’s presidential elections. I think many people must … Read More

June ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

Ken Perrott • Jul 03, 2017

There are about 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake or get your stats wrong). Every month I get queries from people wanting their own blog included. I encourage and am happy to respond to queries … Read More

Fluoridation: Open letter to Democrats for Social Credit

Ken Perrott • Jun 15, 2017

The only political party in New Zealand campaigning against community water fluoridation is the Democrats for Social Credit. It is a minor party, not represented in Parliament and of little influence. However, it does have connections with Fluoride Free NZ, the main anti-fluoride activist group, and its members have imposed anti-fluoridation policies on some groups they belong to. Two examples … Read More

Fluoridation: What’s happening with the New Zealand legislation?

Ken Perrott • Jun 12, 2017

The second reading of the fluoridation bill is now on the order paper for the current parliament. Public submissions have been heard, the Health Committee has reported back to the House and the Ministry of Health (MoH) has provided its own responses to submissions. Of course, we don’t know yet what the final Act will be like exactly. Read More

May ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

Ken Perrott • Jun 02, 2017

Here are the rankings of New Zealand blogs with publicly available statistics for May 2017. There are about 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake or get your stats wrong). Every month I get queries from people … Read More

Anti-fluoridationists commonly misrepresent Ministry of Health data

Ken Perrott • May 24, 2017

Anti-fluoride activists tell porkies about the Ministry of Health’s data on child dental health. They cherry-pick the data to make it appear that community water fluoridation is ineffective. And when challenged to discuss the issue they run away. I am currently dealing with family issues so am reposting this article, “A challenge to anti-fluoridationers to justify their misrepresentation of New … Read More

ChildSmile – a complement, not an alternative, to fluoridation

Ken Perrott • May 18, 2017

Local antifluoride activists are busy presenting ChildSmile and similar programmes as alternatives to fluoridation. They aren’t – and New Zealand District health Boards already operate elements of these programmes where they consider them effective. I am currently dealing with family issues so am reposting this article, “ChildSmile dental health – its pros and cons” from September 2015. There is … Read More

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