Each year I give out The Screamers Awards. As far as I know it’s the only science hype award in the world.
The Screamers Awards recognize extreme examples of science hype, most often by the media.
The major focus is on the biomedical sciences, but other areas of science are eligible too. Last year, the winners were collectively the media that specifically hyped the anti-aging craze that has exploded. Journalism coverage of major longevity celebs like David Sinclair and Bryan Johnson is often full of hype.
Earlier former FDA Commissioner Steve Hahn won The Screamers related to statements on unproven therapies for COVID. However, the awards’ main focus is on headlines and media stories that pose risks because of hype or misinformation.
Coverage of xenobots, hyped robots made from frog and other cells, earned a past nomination. Some writers continued to hype xenobots in 2024 too but not as much as in past years. Some researchers recently came up with a new name for xenobots made with human cells: anthrobots. This still didn’t quite rise to the level of hype for The Screamers.
So who or what will win The Screamers Award for 2024? Let’s review some nominees. I’ll announce the winner(s) next week.
What’s been going on with science hype in 2024?
One disturbing trend that has accelerated in 2024 involves local TV news stations. They are increasingly promoting unproven stem cells and other not-ready-for-primetime biologics. The coverage is often just hype.
The stations sometimes even characterize the use of these products as being like miracles.
Some reporters even get the unproven stem cells they are writing up, which is a big problem. They cannot remain objective it seems.
Local TV station WZTV is a nominee for The Screamers Award
There is no investigational stem cell therapy for autism showing promise, monumental or otherwise. This story is, of course, about a stem cell clinic. These kinds of items lead to kids being put at risk via unproven stem cells.
R3 Stem Cell is the darling of local TV news stations
I’ve written before about my concerns about the stem cell and biologics clinic chain called R3 Stem Cell. I’ve noticed in 2024 that somehow R3 is showing up in a glowing way on many local TV news stations. See three examples above that popped up on Google News. This is news? It’s a cash grab by the stations.
Earlier this year I wrote about how even the AP was promoting R3 Stem Cell.
I wonder how much this all costs R3 Stem? Maybe it’s worth it in the way of new customers.
More broadly, the media needs to be more responsible about unproven medical therapies and not do softball TV segments.
Then there’s this fishy news item.
‘Salmon cell injections into her head’ story earns a Screamers nomination
RFK Jr. hypes stem cells, earns The Screamers nomination
As I’ve written before, RFK Jr. claims that the FDA has been suppressing stem cells. Check out his tweet below.
FDA’s war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) October 25, 2024
I see this as a form of science hype.
Kennedy is wrongly claiming and hyping that there are stem cells ready for prime time, but the agency is blocking them. This kind of hype is just as harmful as the others. Should Kennedy become the head of HHS, he would be above NIH and the FDA, a real recipe for trouble in my view.
The only recent idea I’ve seen from him that makes good sense is to stop drug commercials on TV.
There’s still time to nominate something for The Screamers so let me know if you have examples of extreme science hype.
Lol