Facts run contrary to claims of salmon virus
By Randy O'Donnell, The Daily News August 26, 2011
Re: 'Virus could be "smoking gun": Researcher' (Daily News, Aug. 26)
The headline "Virus could be 'smoking gun': Researcher" is highly misleading. Those who lead the campaign against netpen salmon farming consistently disregard new facts and misrepresent science to further their "progressive" ideology.
Lawyer Gregory McDade, acting on behalf of the anti-farming lobby was according to reports, asking Dr. Kristi Miller "provocative and leading" questions in an attempt to tie her research to fish farms. Dr. Miller responded that her findings are based on relatively small amounts of research, which itself lacks a "clear, scientific methodology." Research scientist Kyle Garber went so far as to tell the Cohen Commission that "I'm really concerned with all the speculation going on here" and reminding them that "We don't even know if it's a true virus."
Anti-farming zealots are so anxious to fix blame that several have chosen Miller as their new hero. Several who attended the commission were sent to be wearing "It's Miller Time" T-shirts and carried a banner proclaiming her "Scientist of the Year."
Anti-farming lobbyist Alexandra Morton immediately contacted the media, claiming that Dr. Miller's research was the first "solid clue" to an "18 year decline." She ignores the fact that last year's sockeye run was the largest in 100 years and that this years run appears very healthy.
These facts run contrary to her agenda and thus are ignored. Real science consists of adjusting one's beliefs to conform to the data, while socialist pseudo-science is being willing to adjust the data to conform to one's belief.
Randy O'Donnell
Nanaimo
