News stories about ergonomics and human factors for those who support the philosophy of fitting the task to the human, or user-centred design.
08 July 2009
Science writer Dr Simon Singh appeals against chiropractic libel judgement
The Guardian reports on a legal case with significant implications for science journalism and claims made by healthcare practitioners. Dr Simon Singh, a leading science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), is taking his case to the Court of Appeal after a preliminary judgement went against him. In the original Guardian article, Singh criticised the BCA for claiming that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolonged crying. Singh described the treatments as "bogus" and based on insufficient evidence, and criticised the BCA for "happily promoting" them. According to The Guardian, the BCA denied these criticisms and maintained that the efficacy of chiropractic treatments is well documented. At a preliminary hearing in May to decide the meaning of the article, Mr Justice Eady ruled that Singh's wording implied that the BCA was being consciously dishonest, an interpretation denied by Singh. Singh is appealing the ruling, and will take the case to the European courts if the appeal fails. The case has led to a campaign to raise awareness of English libel laws, which critics claim can stifle legitimate and open debate about scientific and health issues. A summary of articles on the issue is contained on Singh's Sense about Science website. Source: Guardian, 4 June 2009. tinyurl.com/op6och
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. While the BCA have the legal upper hand so far, the issue is far from closed. Some have argued that the BCA have shot themselves in the foot, as the issue has generated enormous popular and scientific support for Singh. A statement was sent to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, No 10 and the Department of Justice on Thursday 4th June and with every additional 1000 names Sense About Science will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation. It is also interesting that the McTimoney Chiropractic Association issued a strongly worded letter all its members to take down their websites immediately or risk prosecution. In fact, the McTimoney Chiropractic Association's own website is currently offline.
This blog contains selected news stories covering a broad range of issues about ergonomics and human factors. The blog is intended for anyone who supports the philosophy of fitting the task to the human, or user-centred design.
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This blog is edited by Steve Shorrock, a Registered Ergonomist and a feature editor for The Ergonomist. If you wish to highlight a news story for inclusion, email ergonomicsnews {at} gmail.com.
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
An ergonomist is an individual whose knowledge and skills concern the analysis of human-system interaction and the design of the system in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
Practicing ergonomists must have a broad understanding of the full scope of the discipline. That is, ergonomics promotes a holistic approach in which considerations of physical, cognitive, social, organizational, environmental and other relevant factors are taken into account.
Source: International Ergonomics Association, www.iea.cc
The Guardian reports on a legal case with significant implications for science journalism and claims made by healthcare practitioners. Dr Simon Singh, a leading science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), is taking his case to the Court of Appeal after a preliminary judgement went against him. In the original Guardian article, Singh criticised the BCA for claiming that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolonged crying. Singh described the treatments as "bogus" and based on insufficient evidence, and criticised the BCA for "happily promoting" them. According to The Guardian, the BCA denied these criticisms and maintained that the efficacy of chiropractic treatments is well documented. At a preliminary hearing in May to decide the meaning of the article, Mr Justice Eady ruled that Singh's wording implied that the BCA was being consciously dishonest, an interpretation denied by Singh. Singh is appealing the ruling, and will take the case to the European courts if the appeal fails. The case has led to a campaign to raise awareness of English libel laws, which critics claim can stifle legitimate and open debate about scientific and health issues. A summary of articles on the issue is contained on Singh's Sense about Science website. Source: Guardian, 4 June 2009. tinyurl.com/op6och 
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. While the BCA have the legal upper hand so far, the issue is far from closed. Some have argued that the BCA have shot themselves in the foot, as the issue has generated enormous popular and scientific support for Singh. A statement was sent to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, No 10 and the Department of Justice on Thursday 4th June and with every additional 1000 names Sense About Science will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation. It is also interesting that the McTimoney Chiropractic Association issued a strongly worded letter all its members to take down their websites immediately or risk prosecution. In fact, the McTimoney Chiropractic Association's own website is currently offline.
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