The way forward in a scientific investigation is often not very clear.

BBC: News - Today - Today's guest editor: Paul Nurse

There is no mention at all of a legitimate scientific investigation in the above.

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Mr Schwartz is a former director of the Institut Pasteur in France, and his book maps out with great clarity the scientific investigation into how scrapie a disease that has long been known to afflict sheep came to cross the species barrier to cows, and then from cows to humans.

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That, and the fact that modern scientific investigation tends to be a team effort, has diminished the cult of the celebrity scientist.

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The chemicals are called phthalates, and the scientific investigation into their health effects is a long way from settled.

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But skeptics remain doubtful about similar claims, calling some charlatans and others well-intentioned people who are merely delusional, according to Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.

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However, the Republican presidential candidate's position now is more sceptical, saying he believes there is a lack of scientific consensus on the issue and that he supports more debate and investigation among scientists.

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