© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
Wielding the sword of professional ethics against misleading dietary supplement claims
2 The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY
3 Graduate Program in Bioethics, Union-Mount Sinai University, Schenectady, NY
4 Hastings Center, Inc., Garrison, NY
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed: e-mail: murrayt@thehastingscenter.org and torokc@thehastingscenter.org
Received on February 12, 2008; revised on May 1, 2008; accepted on June 4, 2008
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What does the word "glyconutrient" mean to you? If you are a glycobiologist studying the complexities of cell communication facilitated by the interaction of sugar molecules attached to fats or proteins within the body, the term may have little meaning. While "glyco" is commonly understood to mean sugar, nutrient is somewhat more nebulous, referring loosely to an ingredient that supports life.1 Considering that glycobiology involves the complex interaction of an array of individually identified sugar chains that dominate the surface of cells and proteins and combine to contribute to cell creation and function, the term glyconutrient by itself does little to articulate meaning or purpose.2
Conversely, if you are a consumer searching for alternative or complementary medicines (CAM) to promote well-being or arrest disease, the scientific-sounding label may generate a feeling of security and credibility. Capitalizing on America's love of science, many dietary supplement manufacturers resort to scientific jargon when
Governmental oversight
The scientist's role
The scientific community's role
Conclusion
Funding
Conflict of interest statement