Obama, Cruise, Winfrey make it to '2008's Unscientific Shame' list

London, Dec 27 (ANI): When it comes to science, Barack Obama is no better than many other people - the would-be US leader has joined Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey in the list of shame of those in public life who made scientifically unsupportable statements in 2008.

The Celebrities and Science Review 2008, prepared by the group Sense About Science, has identified some of the worst examples of scientific illiteracy among those who profess to know better.

During their presidential campaigns, Obama along with John McCain blundered into the MMR vaccine row, reports the Independent.

"We've seen just a skyrocketing autism rate," said Obama.

"Some people are suspicious that it's connected to the vaccines. This person included. The science right now is inconclusive, but we have to research it," he said.

His words were echoed by Mr McCain.

"It's indisputable that [autism] is on the rise among children, the question is what's causing it. There's strong evidence that indicates it's got to do with a preservative in the vaccines," he said.

Thorough research has failed to substantiate any link to vaccines or any preservatives. The rise in autism is thought to be due to an increased awareness of the condition.

Hollywood, too, did not escape the critical analysis of the scientific reviewers, who 'criticised' Tom Cruise, over his "psychiatry being a crime against humanity" comments.

"The real crime against humanity continues to be the enduring misery caused by the major mental illnesses across the globe, and the continuing lack of resources devoted to supporting those afflicted," said the psychiatrist Professor Simon Wessely.

Kate Moss, Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore all adopted the idea that a person can detoxify his or her body with either diet (scientifically unsupportable).

Scientists point out that diet alone cannot remove toxins and that blood itself is not a toxin, and even if it did contain toxins,removing a little bit of it is not going to help.(ANI)