BU medical research funded by tanning org.
Andrea Abi-Karam
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: News
A Boston University medical researcher who concluded that moderate use of tanning beds can improve health received research funding from the UV Foundation, an organization backed by tanning industry leaders -- a fact not revealed in the study's publication last year.
BU Medical Campus researcher Michael Holick recommended "sensible sun exposure" and the moderate use of tanning beds as ways to combat vitamin D deficiency, in the study published July 19, 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The UV Foundation, along with the National Institutes of Health, was cited as a funding source in the article, though nothing else was said about the group.
Holick's professional ties to Merck, Eli Lilly, Procter & Gamble, Quest Diagnostics, Amgen and Novartis were cited by the NEJM, and "No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported," the study article states.
The Wall Street Journal and medical publication The Cancer Letter revealed the connection between the UV Foundation and the tanning bed industry Friday. The group receives donations from the Indoor Tanning Association and tanning bed companies including Future Industries and Executive Tans, according to the UV Foundation website.
The link between Holick and the tanning industry follows the confirmation last month that tobacco giant Philip Morris donated at least $3.99 million to BU since 1995 to fund medical research.
Between 2004 and 2006, Boston University was the UV Foundation's top grant recipient, winning $162,014 in research funding, according to the Wall Street Journal article.
The UV Foundation has promised Holick $150,000 over three years, according to the foundation's website. Following the publication of Holick's article, the UV Foundation praised his work in a press release.
Suspicion about the relationships between researchers and funding backers has grown in light of recent disclosures. The New York Times last month revealed a NEJM-published cancer study by Cornell University researcher Claudia Henschke had been funded by the Foundation for Lung Cancer, a group financed almost entirely by $3.6 million in grants from cigarette maker Liggett Group. Henschke concluded that CT scans could prevent 80 percent of lung cancer deaths.
The BU Medical Center declined comment for this article. Holick did not respond to multiple voicemails left yesterday and the New England Journal of Medicine could not be reached for comment.
BU Medical Campus researcher Michael Holick recommended "sensible sun exposure" and the moderate use of tanning beds as ways to combat vitamin D deficiency, in the study published July 19, 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The UV Foundation, along with the National Institutes of Health, was cited as a funding source in the article, though nothing else was said about the group.
Holick's professional ties to Merck, Eli Lilly, Procter & Gamble, Quest Diagnostics, Amgen and Novartis were cited by the NEJM, and "No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported," the study article states.
The Wall Street Journal and medical publication The Cancer Letter revealed the connection between the UV Foundation and the tanning bed industry Friday. The group receives donations from the Indoor Tanning Association and tanning bed companies including Future Industries and Executive Tans, according to the UV Foundation website.
The link between Holick and the tanning industry follows the confirmation last month that tobacco giant Philip Morris donated at least $3.99 million to BU since 1995 to fund medical research.
Between 2004 and 2006, Boston University was the UV Foundation's top grant recipient, winning $162,014 in research funding, according to the Wall Street Journal article.
The UV Foundation has promised Holick $150,000 over three years, according to the foundation's website. Following the publication of Holick's article, the UV Foundation praised his work in a press release.
Suspicion about the relationships between researchers and funding backers has grown in light of recent disclosures. The New York Times last month revealed a NEJM-published cancer study by Cornell University researcher Claudia Henschke had been funded by the Foundation for Lung Cancer, a group financed almost entirely by $3.6 million in grants from cigarette maker Liggett Group. Henschke concluded that CT scans could prevent 80 percent of lung cancer deaths.
The BU Medical Center declined comment for this article. Holick did not respond to multiple voicemails left yesterday and the New England Journal of Medicine could not be reached for comment.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bill
posted 4/22/08 @ 9:48 AM EST
I'm not sure that $50,000 a year of a $3 million dollar a year budget should be big news. Money for research comes from either, 1. government, 2. private companies or 3. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/22/08 @ 10:54 AM EST
Who cares? A meagre 150k out of a $3,000,000 budget, big deal.
What are the cosmetics and sunscreen industries funding?
joe
posted 4/22/08 @ 1:39 PM EST
While Armstrong and the WSJ decided to poke at Dr. Holick, let's take a look at the medical industry and how it obtains many of its studies. The Skin Cancer Foundation (which seemingly wants everyone to stay in caves) certainly has an interesting list of donators to their cause. (Continued…)
b welch
posted 4/22/08 @ 2:37 PM EST
Thanks again to the DFP for their ongoing articles related to research and the financial sources behind that research. A very important parameter to ensure the integrity of the research. (Continued…)
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