Former Visiting Professor Patrick Holford is Head of Science and Education at Biocare so, presumably, they would find it comforting to believe that well-respected medical authorities and scientists endorse Patrick Holford’s work and lend it scientific credibility by association. What does Biocare think of Patrick Holford clinging to endorsements from Dr John Marks and Professor Andre Tylee, so long after they have made it clear that they wish him to stop trading on their names?
Like so many end-moments of Carrie, or, indeed, like the Curse of the Monkey’s Paw, the consequences of decades-old, and long-regretted endorsements of Patrick Holford live on. Consider, for example, Patrick Holford’s latest bio-waffle for an event in Ireland. Using the resources of this blog, spot the errors. How very unfortunate for Dr John Marks – no matter how often he disclaims any endorsement of Patrick Holford, it lives on.
Together with Professor André Tylee, professor of primary care mental health at the Institute of Psychiatry, he formed the special interest group in mental health and nutrition, now operating as the charitable Food for the Brain Foundation. The Brain Bio Centre is owned by the Food for the Brain Foundation….
In the UK he presents around 50 workshops and lectures a year. His knowledge, personality and enthusiasm, together with his strong scientific approach helps him to stimulate lively debates, simplifying complex issues and helping the public and professionals expand their understanding of health issues.
“There have been dramatic changes over the past decade in our views about healthcare and Patrick Holford has been right at the forefront of many of these changes, particularly with our revised appreciation of nutrition. The road to bad medicine and bad health is built on the foundation of dogma. It is refreshing to have this dogma subjected to fresh examination.”
Dr John Marks, Life Fellow and former Director of Medical Studies, Cambridge UniversityPatrick is frequently involved in government campaigns and debates and is invited to the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Food Standards Agency as an expert in optimum nutrition.
That remark was made almost 20 years ago and Dr Marks now regrets it but it is destined to outlive him. One should also spare a pang for Professor Andre Tylee who is also trying to play down his association with Holford.
When will Holford get the message that Dr Marks and Professor Tylee no longer endorse him or his views? Just why is he not bandying about the names of his current playmates and colleagues? If they are the sort of friends and collaborators who don’t want other people to learn that they are his friends, then that is very sad for him.
Dr John Marks must be apprehensive that the following words will mysteriously appear on his tombstone.
Here lies Dr John Marks, friend and admirer of Patrick Holford.
It’s enough to make one consider burial at sea.
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I’m waiting for some long-dead sages or winners of a Nobel Prize or two to make an appearance in some PR-fluff of Holford’s.
“Patrick is frequently involved in government campaigns and debates and is invited to the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Food Standards Agency as an expert in optimum nutrition.”
Translation from Patrick: Real English
“Patrick has represented his views on government campaigns and debates as any member of the public can do, by writing a letter of opinion – such correspondence received being noted way down the appendices lists in published documents. There is no evidence that Patrick has ever contributed significantly to any government campaign sufficient to be named in the document as one whose opinion has been sought and listened to”
Note his consistency – lack of evidence to support his claims are equally lacking or misquoted in his nutrition claims.
Patrick has no doubt bedazzled non-sciencey MPs and Lords who have invited him to tea at this venue.
Patrick over-estimates his impact on govt recommendations and policies, which is in fact zero.
There.
Points clarified.
Excellent, UK RD. Doubtless he sits there lecturing people on the trans fats in their biscuits during that tea and that qualifies him as an expert doomsayer and nagger – which is most people’s interpretation of nutritionist…
I don’t know that there is a solution to this. John Marks meant well and gave his recommendation with caveats and permission for it to be re-used without asking him.
He can never have imagined it would be used to promote books that he hadn’t read, splashed all over a website or used to support a job application decades on.
Sometimes, although the letter of an agreement allows you to behave like this, it’s an abuse of the spirit.
I’m going to be more careful about checking the status of recommendations inthe future even if they are from names I recognise or respect.