Vikas Kocchar, regional manager for public affairs and communications of Coca-Cola, says claims that the drink can be used as a pesticide have no scientific backing.

BBC: The drink is mixed with water and sprayed on to the crops

Soon after a special investigative committee of the House of Representatives, led by a member of Golkar, declared, with little scientific backing, that the mudflow was a natural disaster.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Even for newer treatments without scientific backing, doctors are realising that in some cases (such as for arthritis and relieving the pain and stress of some cancer patients) drugs have only limited effectiveness, and that massage can often do more to make the patient feel better.

ECONOMIST: Health

In announcing this decision, the administration claimed it was merely following the recommendation of a bipartisan commission that enjoyed the full backing of the scientific community.

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