Turning science into junk: The tobacco industry and passive smoking

In this issue, Glantz and Ong offer a powerful analysis of the tobacco indu stry's attempt to discredit the scientific evidence on passive smoking, par ticularly the industry's use of the label "junk science." Environmental epi demiologic studies in other arenas have also been targets for the "junk sci ence" label. Lessons for researchers involved in high-stakes issues in the public policy arena include a need for awareness of competing interests, for transparenc y concerning funding, and for adherence to rigorous quality assurance and p eer review practices. The goal of "sound science" seems an admirable one; i t should not, however, be used to dismiss available but uncertain evidence in order to delay action.