The role of vested interests and dominant narratives in science, risk management and risk communication

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the role of vested interests and dominant narratives in science as these pertain to risk management and risk communication. Misconduct and dishonesty in science have been known since the times of Galileo Galilea and Newton in the basic and physical sciences. Epidemiology is the applied science of population health. The results from epidemiological research are used to inform evidence-based policy. The work of epidemiologists involves navigating through all types of bias that can influence research in public health. The International Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology works at the interface of research and policy. By persistently holding corporate leaders' feet to the fire on their obligation to protect worker and passenger safety and health based on valid evidence, decency, common sense, and rational policy should eventually prevail. The obligation of the industry is to avoid supply-air contaminating cabin air.