Long after this class is over, you will continue to make everyday decisions base

Question

Long after this class is over, you will continue to make everyday decisions based on scientific findings, and will need to distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific claims. Some of these decisions will impact your personal life.As an example, consider the sale of skin care and personal hygiene products. One such product is called Hydroshield Moisturizing Face Lotion, which sells for over $60 per ounce. It is sold by Dr. Denese, a company owned and run by a dermatologist (who also has a PhD and clinical research experience). Find a description and reviews at the web site below.
The question: Would you buy this product, or recommend it for someone whom you thought could benefit from it? What other information would you need, if any, to make an informed decision?

Other decisions about scientific claims can have a much broader impact. Energy, environment, health, security - all of these issues have science at their core and have worldwide implications. Imagine that one of your friends says to you, "Hey, you took that science class this fall. How come I got the flu vaccine last year and still got sick?" Or, "Scientists have agendas like anyone else - I just don't believe that global warming is happening."
The question: How do you respond to such statements, now that you know a little more about what science is and how it's done?

Explanation / Answer

Relating to the first question, since that Dr. Denese is a Dermatologist and even holds a Ph.D. means that she is quite familiar with skin problems and their cure and has a vast knowledge which she can implement in the direction of developing of her own line of skin moisturizing lotions. However, the consumer must be aware of the ingredients or chemicals used for the manufacturing of this moisturizing lotion. Are the chemicals really skin friendly? If the products contains stuff like parabens which is commonly exploited as a preservative then the answer is no. Well here comes market research? Reviews of consumers, product rating, etc. cannot and should not be ignored. It may be that the product does miracle to one person and brutally reacts and burns the skin of another. So is the consumer hypersensitive to any ingredient or chemical used in the lotion? If yes, then its not recommended for that individual. People with history of skin problems should be most careful with what they put on their over sensitive skins. All these factors should be considered and used as a precept for taking an informed decision before recommending the product to anyone or trying out youself.

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