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November 5, 2010

Science That Sucks: There are two kinds of bad science: the flagrantly and curiously wrong, and the ridiculously obvious.

William M. Briggs, Statistician posts on the stupidity of "Certain Oral Activities Linked To Intercourse Onset, New Research Suggests"

"Having Oral Sex Increases Likelihood of Intercourse Among Teens, Study Finds" is the headline at Science Daily, a site whose existence depends upon reprinting press releases provided by universities. Universities, I say; entities who think it wise to employ staff to tout the triumphs of their tenured. The University of California, San Francisco, provided this press release.

It describes the work -- to stretch a word -- Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, professor of pediatrics at UCSF, and Anna Song, also PhD, but residing at UC Merced. According to Song, "Our study demonstrates that through its relationship with intercourse, oral sex contributes to the total risk associated with sexual activity among teens, including sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy." Risk?

Posted by Vanderleun at November 5, 2010 12:01 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Oh? Wonder who funded this study?

Posted by: Cilla Mitchell, Galveston Texas at November 5, 2010 5:27 AM

their further "research" indicates that holding hands may lead to inappropriate touching which may then lead to oral sex.

Posted by: joe buzz at November 5, 2010 6:44 AM

Next study: Does having intercourse lead to an increase in oral sex?

Posted by: james wilson at November 5, 2010 7:44 AM

Reminds me of the joke:

Q: Why do Southern Baptists disapprove of premarital sex?

A: It might lead to *dancing*!

Posted by: Aquila at November 5, 2010 9:47 AM

Cilla, Barney Frank funded this study until he found out it wasn't about him!

Posted by: Vermont Woodchuck at November 5, 2010 10:24 AM

Where can I line up to become the next "Captain Obvious" and get paid for it?

NIH?

Good, thanks, I'll start there, and then work my way through the National Science Foundation.

Posted by: Don Rodrigo at November 5, 2010 11:11 AM

And to think of all the "unpaid research" I did back in my college days...

Posted by: waltj at November 6, 2010 10:47 PM

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