ACSH's board of scientific advisors contains experts in a broad range of disciplines. But we have only a few economists.
Yet if we were looking for an economist to add to our board, we'd certainly have to consider Steven D. Levitt, author of Freakonomics. You could even call Levitt the Dr. Whelan of economics, or perhaps statistics, as he attempts to separate out myth from reality in an entertaining yet fact-based manner.
And while we don't share his enthusiasm for the Shangri-La Diet, we did enjoy the critique on his blog over the weekend about the findings of a study that promotes the notion that good nutrition could reduce crime.
As Dr. Whelan said in a December 23, 1997 letter to the Wall Street Journal, "we need fewer toxicologists and more psychiatrists," as we try to replace fear with facts. Perhaps another economist or two wouldn't hurt either.
Jeff Stier, Esq., is an associate director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).
