In November issue of Prairie Farmer Holly Spangler asks what we can do about Dr. Oz. When you look at his education and qualifications, you would not think he would be spreading all the lies, half truths, and innuendo that he spouts. Why he is on television is simple. Ratings. Why people believe him is a whole different story. I wish I could say, but the only thing I can come up with is that he is on a mainstream television network.
People in the agriculture media, try to counter Dr. Oz's misinformation with blogs and news stories, but how many people read and or understand we are saying. How do we get out the word in a way that the public will accept and understand. The "and God made a Farmer" Superbowl ad may have been the single most effective positive piece on agriculture ever. We need more of that. John Deere, Case IH, and other Ag suppliers need to get together and buy Supper Bowl ads every year. It is the only way we can get our message out to the general public. We need to promote modern agriculture in a positive way. I recently saw a Quickbooks Ad featuring a veternarian. It is a wonderful depiction of someone in agriculture as a smart person who who loves her work.
In addition, maybe it is time to take on Dr. Oz directly. New Yorker Magazine and Popular Science have taken him on. Read the Wikipedia article above. He has been under fire since 2009. The study published in the British Medical Journal says that 51% of his advice has no scientific backing. Is his medical license vulnerable? Maybe some of our farm organizations should go to the AMA. What about a 60 Minutes expose'? A whole segment of 60 Minutes devoted to food and nutrition seems reasonable.
We must keep trying to counter people like Dr. Oz. There are a bunch of them out there.
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