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Controversial alcohol study cancelled by US health agency

An investigation by the US National Institutes of Health finds missteps that put the industry-funded project’s credibility in doubt.
  1. Sara Reardon
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The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has terminated a controversial US$100-million study examining whether drinking small amounts of alcohol every day can improve health.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-05461-x

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 18 June 2018: The story initially stated that a working group within the NIH Advisory Council to the Director produced the 15 June report. It was the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director. It also said that the MACH15 project began enroling participants in January 2018 — enrolment began in February 2018. The piece has been corrected to reflect this.

  • Update 18 June 2018: This story has been updated with comments from Kenneth Mukamal, a cardiovascular researcher of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and his study collaborators.

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