A new study, published in AddictionIt illuminates the way in which industries associated with health damage-such as tobacco, fossil fuels, and in this case, alcohol can distort the evaluation of scientific research through a friendly commentary industry.
A team of researchers led by the Canadian Institute of UVIC substance research research has analyzed 268 alcohol and health studies published online from the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol or Isfar Research.
ISFAR describes themselves as an international group of “invited doctors and scientists specialists in their fields and are committed to a balanced and well -researched analysis of alcohol and health”. However, members have ongoing alcohol-industry connections, says Tim Stockwell, Cisur scientist, a peer professor in the UVIC Psychology Department and co-author of the study.
Although the ISFAR has long -term bonds with the alcohol industry, it is still often referred to in the media as a valid voice on alcohol and health -related issues. We had noticed that their reviews seemed to favor studies finding health benefits and criticizing those who said differently. We found to try this impartial and overall. ”
Tim Stockwell, Cisur Scientist, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Psychology of UVIC and co-author of the study
Researchers’ assumptions were confirmed, either using data produced by human coders or by text analysis based on ISFAR critics computers. The team found that studies that supported an industrial -friendly narrative were ten times more likely to receive a positive review from ISFAR than those that indicate differently. Specifically, the evaluations of favorable Isfar use were not fully related to the level of scientific value of the studies as estimated by an independent expert who did not participate otherwise in the project.
“This analysis confirms the impression that ISFAR is a friendly Echo Chamber industry, whose reviews are more determined by whether they like the conclusions contained in research documents rather than scientific value,” says Stockwell. “We’ve seen this Playbook before with the tobacco industry trying to defame science around smoking damage.”
It is a reminder that we must be aware of where our information comes from and who pays for its creation, says Stockwell.
Source:
Magazine report:
Clay, jm, et al. (2025). The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research Research (ISFAR) of Alcohol Research: Promoting the Benefits of Health and Death Damage. Addiction. doi.org/10.1111/add.70132.
