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From: ethan@ut-emx.UUCP (Ethan Tecumseh Vishniac)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.misc
Subject: Re: Strange results in Nature article (fallout...)
Summary: Have the results *really* been reproduced?
Keywords: skepticism debunking
Message-ID: <4652@ut-emx.UUCP>
Date: 1 Aug 88 20:41:41 GMT
References: <2366@boulder.Colorado.EDU> <1663@microsoft.UUCP> <2417@boulder.Colorado.EDU>
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Lines: 30

In article <2417@boulder.Colorado.EDU>, eddy@boulder.Colorado.EDU (Sean Eddy) writes:
> Given that the experiment has been reproduced in other labs, something
> real could well be going on. You may, of course, continue to imply that six labs
> and multiple researchers are simply lying; however, to do so is
> blindly combative and contrary to basic principles of science.  
> An experiment should be tested on scientific grounds before the
> experimenter is attacked on personal grounds.

Unfortunately, one of the points that is under dispute is whether or
not the results were actually replicated independently in 6 labs.
The report by the investigative team seems to contradict the
original article by asserting that virtually all the positive results
were produced by one researcher at two labs.

On another point,  I think the presence of the Amazing Randi was both
appropriate and helpful.  His skill lies in a long record both in detecting
fraud, and also on methods to eliminate unconscious bias.  I would
take his comments on both topics (although not, of course, biological
or chemical theory) *very* seriously.

When such an unexpected and outrageous result is reported I don't think
there is anything wrong with suspecting fraud by someone connected
to the project.  It certainly is an appropriate point to explore.
In this case the investigating team (including Randi) seem to have
concluded that no conscious fraud was involved.
-- 
 I'm not afraid of dying     Ethan Vishniac, Dept of Astronomy, Univ. of Texas
 I just don't want to be     {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
 there when it happens.      (arpanet) ethan@astro.AS.UTEXAS.EDU
    - Woody Allen            (bitnet) ethan%astro.as.utexas.edu@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU