Richard Berman and the Corporate War on Science

In this busiest, most expensive advertising season of the year, readers of this morning's New York Times saw a visually stunning full page ad that contained just six words: "Hooked on Mercury Hype? Fish Scam.com.

This ad is the latest blast from Richard Berman's Center for Consumer Freedom, a non-profit "group" supported mainly by the restaurant and food industry. (I put the word "group" in quotes for a reason, which I'll get to later.) This expensive ad follows by a week the appearance of massive billboards in Times Square touting the same website. The temperature is rising on the mercury-fish issue.

The fishing industry has numerous academics willing to champion its position on the playing fields of science, whether that be in the academic literature, federal advisory committees, or on the National Academies of Science panels that have reviewed the mercury in food issue. Just recently, a study funded by the fishing industry appeared in a prominent academic journal that touted the benefits of fish fats in limiting heart disease and, perhaps, maintaining mental acuity. The study received widespread media coverage -- without mentioning that it was funded by the fishing industry.

The science of mercury is complex. But most scientists -- no matter where they stand on the issue of regulating and labeling fish -- agree that the levels of mercury in most fish species do not represent a danger to most consumers. On the other hand, most responsible scientists also admit that vulnerable populations -- the very young, women who are pregnant or nursing -- should probably think twice about how much fish they consume.

There is no debate at all about whether mercury can cause severe mental retardation and congenital deformities in people who are exposed when in utero or very young. Remember Minamata Disease? The only question is what levels can prudently be deemed safe.

You won't find any of that rational scientific discussion on Berman's website. Instead, he launches his long-standing attacks on consumer and environmental groups (including the Center for Science in the Public Interest where I work) which have raised concerns about mercury contamination and sought warning labels on food products like canned tuna that contain higher levels than what some consider prudent for populations at risk.

Berman accuses such groups of scare tactics. He also uses his heavy-handed public relations machine to attack the mainstream scientists who have conducted research in the field, even though there are plenty of scientists, most industry-funded but some not, who have engaged in the debate on the other side.

You have to dig deep into Berman's website to find out that food producer groups fund his organization. But he doesn't reveal to what extent. Filings with the IRS don't reveal his sources of funds, but in 2003 -- the most recent filing available -- the Center for Consumer Freedom pulled in $2.8 million, with $1.8 million of that going for "media and messaging." He spends $350,000 a year on his website alone, with another $650,000 poured into conducting negative research on environmental and consumer groups promoting consumer safety. The essence of this so-called consumer group is an industry-funded public relations machine.

For his efforts, Berman makes out very well, thank you. His management company pulled in $1.1 million in 2003. Using traditional yardsticks, it would appear that most of that was paid as direct salary to Berman himself since he also reported that the Center for Consumer Freedom put $115,000 into Berman's personal retirement fund.

The fishing industry and other food producer groups have every right to engage in public debates over the issue of how much mercury should be allowed in food before it is considered unsafe for vulnerable groups. But when they engage in well-funded public relations attacks on those who engage in the still evolving science, they become part of the dark forces that are seeking to undermine science itself.

Like the old saying about fish, an industry hooked on that kind of behavior is rotting from the head down.

Posted by gooznews at December 19, 2005 08:41 AM