‘Scaremongering stars show no sense about science’

CELEBRITIES who front public campaigns should check their facts first to avoid making nonsensical claims that have no scientific basis, a charity said yesterday.

Famous faces like Carole Caplin and Elle Macpherson may be doing “more harm than good”, campaigners said.

Sense About Science is offering a helpline for any celebrities who want to avoid making blunders by speaking to scientists first.

Director Tracey Brown said stars can damage people’s understanding of science as well as their own credibility.

She said celebrities who talk about serious issues such as cancer, vaccinations and obesity were often guilty of “scaremongering”.

She said: “All year long people send us frustrating examples of celebrities promoting something that makes no sense.

“Once it’s done, it’s really difficult to undo. We know some people aren’t interested in good science or evidence.

“We are equally sure some will be glad to talk through claims they are asked to front, because they take their public impact seriously, or just for their own self preservation.”

The charity has produced a leaflet which cites examples of celebrity blunders and which, it says, will help them avoid mistakes in the future.

It contains alleged examples of science errors by Caplin, Madonna, model Melinda Messenger, and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Dr Simon Singh, science writer and trustee of Sense About Science said: “Celebrities can have a huge influence on the public, but they need to make sure they are doing more good than harm by checking their facts before making any proclamations.”

Here’s the science bit: celebrities get low down on being high brow

HERE are some quotes by celebrities which have been ridiculed by scientists

Jamie Oliver — celebrity chef

On the benefits of organic food: “I want to cook with the best ingredients and have food the way it should be: healthy, tasty and grown with nature.”

* Prof Vivian Moses — Biologist, King’s College London: “ ‘Grown with nature’? Not one of our crop plants or domestic animals exists in the wild, they have all been created by selective breeding.”

Elle Macpherson — model

On the benefits of organic food: “I feel happy that I can feed my family food that avoids unnecessary pesticides and harmful food additives.”

* Ursula Arens — Dietician, British Dietetic Association spokeswoman: “Approved additives are not harmful for nearly all people. In fact, additives can make food safer by, for example, stopping it going off too quickly.”

Heather Mills McCartney — former model

On childhood obesity: “Every day there’s a report warning that obesity levels in children are out of control. The fact that those kids who drink the most milk gain the most weight should cause alarm bells. It isn’t and milk is still being pushed as essential for children.”

* Dr Joanne Lunn — Nutritionist, British Nutrition Foundation: “Milk is one of the most nutritionally complete foods and if people excluded milk and dairy products from their lives, they would miss out on many of the most important constituents of a healthy diet.”