Maryanne Demasi

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Maryanne Demasi
Occupation(s)Journalist, presenter

Maryanne Demasi is an Australian investigative journalist and presenter best known for her controversial work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Catalyst television program. Demasi challenges the scientific consensus on cholesterol, saturated fat and statins. She has argued that high-blood cholesterol and high saturated fat consumption do not cause or increase risk of cardiovascular disease and that cholesterol-reducing drugs such as statins are ineffective. These claims have been criticized by medical experts as dangerous and misleading. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Demasi became nationally prominent for television stories [5] that resulted in controversy, contributing to early rumours of the axing of Catalyst followed by an announcement of its planned restructuring and possible redeployment of staff. [6]

Background

Demasi completed a doctorate in rheumatology at the University of Adelaide and worked for a decade at the Royal Adelaide Hospital as a research scientist. [7] She also worked as an advisor to the South Australian Government's Minister for Science and Information Economy. [7]

In 2003, Demasi co-authored a paper in the Journal of Biological Chemistry , on the "Effects of hypoxia on monocyte inflammatory mediator production" which was based on her PhD dissertation for the University of Adelaide. In 2017, an expression of concern was published to "inform readers that credible concerns have been raised regarding some of the data and conclusions". [8] The paper was retracted in 2018 after an investigation by the Journal determined that data had been duplicated. [9] [10] However, an administrative tribunal hearing on the matter, conducted by the University of Adelaide, exonerated Demasi of all allegations. "In response to three allegations, the 'duplication' represented the 'baseline' value for time course experiments and they were intended to indicate there is only one baseline for both the normoxia and hypoxia treatments. The expert witnesses at the hearing, and the panel agreed this was acceptable practice at the time, circa 2002, and did not constitute a breach in any code." The panel ruled that it could not substantiate any of the allegations made by the complainant. [11]

Demasi advocates low-carbohydrate diets and has spoken at events such as Low Carb Sydney in which she delivered a presentation "Statin Wars" in 2018. [12] [13] [14] In 2017, Demasi wrote an article with Robert H. Lustig and Aseem Malhotra arguing that the cholesterol hypothesis is "dead". [15] In 2021, Demasi co-authored a paper with Robert DuBroff challenging statin therapy. [16] As of 2022, Demasi is a writer for the Brownstone Institute, an organization that has been criticized by medical experts for spreading misinformation against vaccines. [17] [18]

Catalyst controversies

Statin report

Demasi produced and presented two controversial episodes on the science program Catalyst, called "The Heart of the Matter", in October 2013, which questioned the link between cholesterol, cholesterol-reducing medication and ill-health. [1] [19] A large number of individuals and professional organisations within the medical community responded to the show negatively, stating that its claims were misleading and ignored the scientific consensus. [2] The National Heart Foundation of Australia published an eight-page rebuttal of the claims presented in the program. [3]

Demasi was accused of bias by ABC's MediaWatch program [20] and received criticism from health specialists for incomplete and biased coverage of life-threatening health issues. [21] [22] [23] In response to these allegations, Demasi said that participants in the program had been presented with her material and agreed with her interpretation. [24] The National Heart Foundation responded, saying that Demasi had not presented the research, [25] ignored and misinterpreted the information provided and selectively edited quotes to invert their meaning. In May 2014 the ABC removed the two episodes from its website. [26] after an internal review found that both programs met the ABC editorial standards for factual accuracy, though a section in the second episode breached standards of impartiality. The report also found that the programs were not found to cause any undue harm to the public and took adequate steps to ensure people did not cease their medications without consulting their doctor. [27] Despite the finding of the ABC's report, the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) claimed that there was a temporary increase in discontinuation of statins and a sustained decrease in the dispensing of statins immediately following the broadcast of the program. [28]

"Wi-Fried" episode

Demasi produced a report in a February 2016 episode of Catalyst called "Wi-Fried" on Wi-Fi and cellphone safety. In her report she detailed the scientific debate about health effects from low level exposures and she raised questions about the long term effects of low level microwave exposures in schools. Her report shows a school where the Wi-Fi routers are turned off when not in use to reduce microwave radiation exposure. Her report was described as unbalanced by Media Watch , [29] criticised by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) [30] and in the media by groups and scientists who have long believed it is impossible for microwave radiation to have effects at low levels. [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] Demasi defended her report in an article in The Guardian [36] and responded to specific criticism in the Huffington Post. [37] Catalyst also defended the episode in a letter to Media Watch. [38] Demasi was stood down as a reporter and the program was placed under review. A public on-air apology statement was broadcast on the ABC on 5 July 2016, and the episode was withdrawn from the ABC's website.

Awards

Demasi has been awarded National Press Club of Australia prizes in 2008, 2009 and 2011 for "Excellence in Health Journalism". [39] [40] [41] In 2014 she was a finalist in the Association of International Broadcasting Awards for her Catalyst episode "Toxic Sugar", subsequently won by David Attenborough. [42]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cholesterol</span> Sterol biosynthesized by all animal cells

Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-density lipoprotein</span> One of the five major groups of lipoprotein

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoprotein that transport all fat molecules around the body in extracellular water. These groups, from least dense to most dense, are chylomicrons, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL delivers fat molecules to cells. LDL is involved in atherosclerosis, a process in which it is oxidized within the walls of arteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statin</span> Class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels

Statins are the most common cholesterol-lowering drugs. Also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, they are a class of lipid-lowering medications that reduce illness and mortality in those who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CSIRO</span> Federal government agency for scientific research in Australia

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypercholesterolemia</span> High levels of cholesterol in the blood

Hypercholesterolemia, also called high cholesterol, is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is a form of hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, and dyslipidemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atorvastatin</span> Cholesterol-lowering medication

Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and to treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simvastatin</span> Lipid-lowering medication

Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor among others, is a statin, a type of lipid-lowering medication. It is used along with exercise, diet, and weight loss to decrease elevated lipid levels. It is also used to decrease the risk of heart problems in those at high risk. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosuvastatin</span> Statin medication

Rosuvastatin, sold under the brand name Crestor among others, is a statin medication, used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipids. It is recommended to be used together with dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss. It is taken orally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pravastatin</span> Cholesterol lowering medication in the statin class

Pravastatin, sold under the brand name Pravachol among others, is a statin medication, used for preventing cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treating abnormal lipids. It should be used together with diet changes, exercise, and weight loss. It is taken by mouth.

Catalyst is an Australian science journalism television program broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The program is currently the only science show on primetime television in Australia. Launched in 2001, it replaced Quantum which had ceased the previous year. Catalyst is regularly broadcast on ABC TV at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays and repeated at 6:00 pm on Sundays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenofibrate</span> Drug of the fibrate class, mainly used to reduce cholesterol levels

Fenofibrate, is an oral medication of the fibrate class used to treat abnormal blood lipid levels. It is less commonly used compared than statins because it treats a different type of cholesterol abnormality to statins. While statins have strong evidence for reducing heart disease and death, there is evidence to suggest that fenofibrate also reduces the risk of heart disease and death. However, this seems only to apply to specific populations of people with elevated triglyceride levels and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Its use is recommended together with dietary changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypocholesterolemia</span> Medical condition

Hypocholesterolemia is the presence of abnormally low (hypo-) levels of cholesterol in the blood (-emia). A defect in the body's production of cholesterol can lead to adverse consequences as well. Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes and is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. It is not clear if a lower than average cholesterol level is directly harmful; however, it is often encountered in particular illnesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Familial hypercholesterolemia</span> Genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels, specifically very high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, in the blood and early cardiovascular diseases. The most common mutations diminish the number of functional LDL receptors in the liver or produce abnormal LDL receptors that never go to the cell surface to function properly. Since the underlying body biochemistry is slightly different in individuals with FH, their high cholesterol levels are less responsive to the kinds of cholesterol control methods which are usually more effective in people without FH. Nevertheless, treatment is usually effective.

In Oceania, Google Street View is available in most parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Alirocumab, sold under the brand name Praluent, is a medication used as a second-line treatment for high cholesterol for adults whose cholesterol is not controlled by diet and statin treatment. It is a human monoclonal antibody that belongs to a novel class of anti-cholesterol drugs, known as PCSK9 inhibitors, and it was the first such agent to receive FDA approval. The FDA approval was contingent on the completion of further clinical trials to better determine efficacy and safety.

<i>The Checkout</i> Australian consumer affairs show

The Checkout was an Australian consumer affairs television series. The show's first series of 10 episodes premiered on 21 March 2013 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television station ABC TV. A second series consisting of 16 episodes commenced airing on 20 February 2014. On 9 April 2015, a third series consisting of 12 episodes began airing. The series was renewed for a fourth series, which began airing on 7 April 2016 consisting of 12 episodes. The series returned for a fifth series, airing twelve episodes between 6 April 2017 and 29 June 2017. The Checkout, with a new look, logo, opening theme and art, still retaining original cast and segments, returned for a sixth season on 30 January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aseem Malhotra</span> British cardiologist and writer

Aseem Malhotra is a controversial British cardiologist, public health campaigner, author, and advocate against the use of COVID vaccines. He campaigns for people to reduce sugar in their diet, promotes a low-carb and high-fat diet, and encourages the reduction of medical overprescribing. He was the first science director of Action on Sugar in 2014. He was listed as one of The Sunday Times 500 most influential people in 2016 and was twice recognized as one of the top fifty black and minority ethnic community member pioneers in the UK's National Health Service by the Health Service Journal. Malhotra is co-author of a book called The Pioppi Diet.

Nikki Stamp is an Australian cardiothoracic surgeon, writer and TV presenter.

Maryanne P. Confoy RSC is an Australian religious Sister of Charity who has also been a teacher and scholar, working primarily in the areas of ministry and spirituality.

Robert J. DuBroff is an American cardiologist who works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has challenged the lipid hypothesis and has disputed the efficiency of statin therapy. Dubroff also disputes the current saturated fat guidelines.

References

  1. 1 2 "Catalyst challenges the mainstream". Abc.net.au. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Sections of the medical community question Catalyst program about cholesterol and heart disease - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 "ABC Media Watch : Heart Foundation : Response to ABC Catalyst program" (PDF). Abc.net.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  4. ↑ "ABC takes down Catalyst heart disease episodes after review criticism". theguardian.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Catalyst Wi-Fried and statins reports fail viewers with bad science journalism". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "ABC 'saves' Catalyst, but staff to go in restructure". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  7. 1 2 "ABC presenter Maryanne Demasi loses compensation claim after jogging fall". perthnow.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  8. ↑ Demasi M, Cleland LG, Cook-Johnson RJ, Caughey GE, James MJ. (2017). "Effects of hypoxia on monocyte inflammatory mediator production: Dissociation between changes in cyclooxygenase-2 expression and eicosanoid synthesis". J Biol Chem. 292 (38): 15993. doi: 10.1074/jbc.A117.305944 . PMC   5612130 . PMID   28939754.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Demasi M, Cleland LG, Cook-Johnson RJ, Caughey GE, James MJ (2018). "Retraction: Effects of hypoxia on monocyte inflammatory mediator production: Dissociation between changes in cyclooxygenase-2 expression and eicosanoid synthesis". J Biol Chem. 293 (52): 20013. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RX118.007017 . PMC   6311510 . PMID   30593534.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "Journal retracts paper by controversial Australian journalist". retractionwatch.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Vigilance versus vigilantism in science: Are ethics no longer important?". ahrecs.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Opinion: It’s time to clear up the misinformation about low carb diets". news.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "Low Carb Sydney 2017". lowcarbdownunder.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "Low Carb Sydney 2018". lowcarbdownunder.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "The cholesterol and calorie hypotheses are both dead — it is time to focus on the real culprit: insulin resistance". pharmaceutical-journal.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  16. ↑ DuBroff R; Demasi M. (2021). "Heart disease: The forgotten pandemic". Prev Med. 153: 106791. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106791. PMID   34508732. S2CID   237486073.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Maryanne Demasi". brownstone.org. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  18. ↑ David Gorski (24 January 2022). "The "spiritual child of the Great Barrington Declaration" promotes antivaccine misinformation". Science-Based Medicine .
  19. ↑ O'Leary, Cathy (2 November 2013). "Patients swamp GPs in anti-cholesterol pill confusion | Health+Medicine". Health.thewest.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "Media Watch: Catalyst challenges the mainstream (11/11/2013)". Abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  21. ↑ Peter Martin (4 November 2013). "ABC report could cause death, says ABC health specialist". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  22. ↑ Peter Clifton (6 November 2013). "Odds of surviving are better with statins". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  23. ↑ Peter Martin (4 November 2013). "ABC report could cause death, says ABC health specialist". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "PM - Backlash against ABC's Catalyst program questioning heart disease-cholesterol links 31/10/2013". Abc.net.au. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  25. ↑ "Heart Foundation 'shocked' at ABC decision to run Catalyst program on cholesterol drugs statins - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  26. ↑ "ABC will take down two controversial Catalyst episodes on heart disease". Theage.com.au. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Catalyst 'Heart of the Matter' Investigation Report" (PDF). Abc.net.au. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  28. ↑ Schaffer, Andrea L.; Buckley, Nicholas A.; Dobbins, Timothy A.; Banks, Emily; Pearson, Sallie-Anne (15 February 2015). "MJA The crux of the matter: did the ABC's Catalyst program change statin use in Australia?". The Medical Journal of Australia. 202 (11): 591–594. doi:10.5694/mja15.00103. hdl: 1885/102663 . PMID   26068693. S2CID   29808041 . Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  29. ↑ "Media Watch: Catalyst cops criticism over 'Wi-fried?' (22/02/2016)". Abc.net.au. 22 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "ARPANSA - News 17 February 2016 - Mobile Phones, Wi-Fi Devices and Health". Arpansa.gov.au.
  31. ↑ Darren Saunders (17 February 2016). "Do Wi-Fi and mobile phones really cause cancer? Experts respond". The Conversation.
  32. ↑ "News - Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research @ UOW". Archived from the original on 22 February 2016.
  33. ↑ "Scared of frying your brain with Wi-Fi?". RiAus.tv. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "ABC's Catalyst criticised for linking Wi-Fi with brain tumours". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 February 2016.
  35. ↑ "ABC slammed for 'scientifically bankrupt' report". The New Daily. 17 February 2016.
  36. ↑ Maryanne Demasi (15 February 2016). "Mobile phones and brain cancer: 'no evidence of health risk' is not the same as 'safe'". the Guardian.
  37. ↑ "Sometimes Asking Questions Provides You With Answers That May Be Uncomfortable". Huffingtonpost.com.au. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  38. ↑ "Catalyst : Media Watch Letter" (PDF). Abc.net.au. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Joint Media Release – Australia's best health journalism recognised". Medicines Australia. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  40. ↑ "Australia's Best Health Journalism Recognised (Joint media release)". Medicines Australia. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  41. ↑ "Australia's Best Health Journalism Recognised (Joint Media Release)". Medicines Australia. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  42. ↑ "The 10th Annual AIB Awards cover the globe". AIB. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
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