It is a challenge right now with all of the nutrition guideline changes (For example, the words “Is a significant source of whole grain.”) Whole grain is a “good guy” and food processors want to be able to put its claim on their packages.

How do you react when you find out that a scientific study of a topic that you are very personally interested in, is funded by a private company or group that appears to have some special interest in what results will be reported to the public? Are you upset by calcium studies funded by the dairy industry?

Note:
• Most biomedical research is still primarily government funded.
• Just because a study has been funded by industry doesn’t mean it hasn’t been carefully conducted.

So what is the answer?
How does one support the good and honest research rather than research that has no ethical motivation?
• Support public funding by donating to organizations such as the Cancer Society, Heart Assoc. Diabetes Assoc, and Lung Association.
• Let your elected officials know that you want both, research guidelines established with a way to monitor compliance and continued government funding of good research.