Many of the research claims we read in newspapers and magazines, find on the Internet, or hear on television and the radio are not published in a peer-reviewed journal. Many reported findings, such as claims about “wonder cures” and “new dangers” never amount to anything.  While some may bemoan the additional time and costs associated with the peer review process, one needs only to envision a world without this quality control process to understand its undeniable worth.

Below are just a few examples of findings that when announced generated a great of concern and debate and through the peer review process were later found to be false:

• One of the first claims that cell phones emissions are unsafe was made in 1998 by Roger Coghill, a self-employed researcher, who had previously argued that mobile phones cause headaches and memory loss. Coghill published these claims himself and released them to the media, rather than submitting them first for peer review. His claim was widely reported and fuelled discussion about cell phone safety. Peer-review research did not corroborate Coghill’s findings.

• In April 2002, the world media reported research results that suggested that people were at risk of cancer from ingesting acrylamide from heated fatty foods. The reports provoked “serious concern” from the World Health Organization and cancer charities and reports of this concern in turn added to speculation about danger, for example to children from eating. Later studies found no relationship to cancer.

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