Leading scientists from across the globe are supporting the launch of The
Brussels Declaration on Scientific Integrity, strongly upholding
professional and scientific ethics above financial and political gain or
personal ideology.
The Declaration is a Statement of Principles calling for the return to the
Scientific Method as the guiding qualifier for the definition of a study
as scientific. It centres around epidemiology and toxicology and covers
topics such as alcohol, obesity and passive smoking.
John Gray of The International Coalition Against Prohibition
states, “The Brussels Declaration was initiated during the successful
TICAP Conference of January 20093. It will pave the way for the return to
the robustness and reliability of scientific integrity that is essential
for the credibility of scientific institutions and general advancement of
humanity.”
Endorsement is now being sought from international politicians, community
leaders, academics, writers, journalists and non-governmental
organisations.
This comprehensive document demands the setting of exacting standards for
gathering data in epidemiological studies, the mandatory specification of
margins of error, and the rejection of expert opinions based on studies
that do not fulfil these criteria.
It demands the restoration of the concept of risk threshold, and calls for
the rejection by governments and regulatory bodies of any scientific work
that does not meet those standards.
It condemns the use of unqualified studies as the basis for public policy
and prohibition and calls for the dismantling of policies and regulations
that are based on such studies.
In addition to the conclusions of scientific studies, it also calls upon
official institutions and the media to accurately report the limitations
and uncertainties of those conclusions in respect of the public's right to
complete, accurate information that does not lead to unnecessary
apprehension or panic.
“As the effects of the Manhattan Declaration begin to be felt at both the
political and public opinion levels,” continues John Gray, “so will that
of the Brussels Declaration when it comes to scientific integrity in the
area of lifestyle prohibitions.”