FANNZ challenges NZ doctors to defend fluoridation in public
On Wed Feb 20, the Royal College Australian Physcians (RCAP) renewed its strong support for the outdated practice of
water fluoridation. They offered no sound science why the modern studies that demonstrate it is neither safe nor
effective should be ignored.
Professor Paul Connett, co-author of the book “The Case Against Fluoride” who is currently touring NZ on a trip
sponsored by Fluoride Action Network NZ (FANNZ), said “it is no longer acceptable for bodies like RCAP to simply to use
their ‘authority’ to promote fluoridation. Sadly too many ‘authorities’ in the past have betrayed the public’s trust on
this practice. Our book has shown that the science showing the swallowing fluoride reduces tooth decay is very weak
indeed, meanwhile the evidence that fluoride causes harm is growing. What scientific studies can RCAP offer which allows
them to ignore the 36 studies that have shown a lowering of IQ at fairly modest levels of fluoride in water?”
FANNZ today calls upon RCAP to take the opportunity of professor Connett’s visit (Feb 18- March 8) and find one medical
doctor among their ranks to debate him in public debate. This would give them an excellent opportunity to show where any
of the science-based arguments in his book are wrong. If they cannot do so the public should take their pro-fluoridation
views with a large piece of salt.
Meanwhile, Professor Connett has been telling audiences in New Zealand that Doctors should be ashamed to support the use
of the public water supply to deliver medicine. He says, “Since 1945, when fluoridation began, we haven’t used the
public water to deliver any other medicine and for obvious reasons. 1) You can’t control the dose; 2) you can’t control
who gets the medicine and 3) it violates the individual’s right to informed consent to medicine. Doctors should know
this is lousy medicine and they should not support it.”
FANNZ is calling on people to contact RCAP (Ph: (04) 472 6713 or racp@racp.org.nz) to tell them public relations spin is
not going to win the issue; they have to defend their position with solid science in a public forum. Prof Connett is
offering them a splendid opportunity to do so. It’s time to put up or shut up.
ends