Obesity scientists serve people: Opposing view

Is science corrupted by money that funds it? Science is funded by governments, industry, foundations and individuals — each with their own agenda. Consider how President George W. Bush’s human embryonic stem cell policy impacted research funds when it set specific criteria for federal funding.

Funders want to advance their agendas. Toyota, for example, allocated $50 million for collaborative research with a dozen universities to advance car safety. Can it seriously be suggested that by accepting this money, scientists at such schools as MIT and Virginia Tech were endorsing Toyota’s products?

Obesity research is no different. Multiple funders provide grants for all sorts of projects. It is wrong to presume that obesity scientists endorse their paymasters.

Obesity occurs when a person consistently consumes more calories than he or she expends. People eat too much and/or move too little because of social factors, such as poverty and workplace design; behavioral factors such as sleep and stress; and biological factors, such as behavior, ill health and genetics.

Obesity’s impact on society is horrific; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that unless obesity rates improve, one in three Americans may develop type 2 diabetes by 2050. We need a multidisciplinary research agenda to reverse obesity.

Researchers generate data to answer hypotheses. Their research is regulated and overseen by various independent sources. University ethics boards (Institutional Review Boards) regulate human studies. Scientists disclose their funding sources, and boards provide independent ethical oversight.

Before a scientific journal will publish the results of an experiment, scientific peers independently review the data. Once again, sources of funding and conflicts of interest are publicly disclosed. Further, universities openly disclose the funds they and their faculty receive. Financial transparency in science is not perfect, but it isn’t bad.

Obesity science relies on committed scientists and funds for wide-ranging research. Money comes from multiple stakeholders, many of whom have vested interests. Checks and balances exist for research to advance ethically. Of course, it could be better. Ultimately, scientists serve people. If the funding stops, research evaporates and hope is lost.

Dr. James A. Levine is co-director of Obesity Solutions at the Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University and author of the book Get Up!  Dr. Levine, who is not a member of the Global Energy Balance Network, wrote this piece at the group’s request.