Marcia AngellScience on Trial – The Clash of Medical Evidence & the Law in the Breast Implant Case (Paper): The Clash of Medical Evidence and the Law in the Breast Implant Case

Excellent book for anyone who wants to better understand healthcare scams from which some are making millions

Dr. Angell is probably the bravest in her profession for being willing to take on the egregious ethics violations and commercial influence within the government and private agencies that are supposed to be watching out for our health but end up doing quite the opposite (FDA, CDC, American Medical Association, medical journals). You will question all studies and medicine after this as Dr. Angell says you rightfully should. As the former head of the New England Journal of Medicine, she should know. Chilling expose.

Please note that the more or less average "average ratings" come from reviewers who either rate this one star or four to five stars. In my opinion this illustrates the main point of the book, i.e. that people either evaluate things based on medical evidence, on the opinion of experts, or on their personal belief based on personal life experience/expectations. The different ways of evaluation produce conflicting perceptions, conflicting world views which we see played out many aspect of life. I think that Dr. Angell is gutsy to even take on an issue which generates tremendous controversy. I believe that she presents the arguments for medical evidence very well. Chapter 5 is the best brief and understandable description of what medical evidence is (and is not) that I have ever read. I recommend the book on that alone. I hope that some day Dr. Angell will update the book to include more recent research.

As a science instructor, I found this book fascinating-- since this case, I understand courts have itroduced changes to how they deal with scientific evidence (I'm not a legal expert, ask me about the science) but this book raises very important questions about how people (including but not limited to lawyers or juries) should evaluate what science actually says.

Book arrived in great condition and on time. So far it is a very interesting read.