:::I think part of the problem is that research in some of these fields is strongly affected by the biases of those doing the research. For example, I suspect that a large fraction of those seeking PhDs and performing research in environmental toxicology are motivated by pre-existing beliefs that current regulatory measures are inadequate, and that there are important problems that need to be demonstrated and publicized.  Thus the line between researcher and activist becomes blurred.  

 :::My brother was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and started doing his own biomedical research.  One of the pieces of advice I offered him was "If its in the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, or the official publication of any major medical society, it's probably true or at least worthy of serious consideration.  But anything published in any journal that has the word "nutrition" in the title can probably be safely ignored".  Same reasoning as above.  

 :::Apologies for my skepticism.