Breakthrough or ballyhoo?.

A cautionary tale of sensationalism in science, this programme looks at instances of medical "breakthroughs", which made media headlines, only to result in embarrassment for the researchers and anxiety or disappointment for patients. Particular instances are reports of a link between Vitamin K and child cancer, and of the discovery of a gene which causes asthma. Richard Smith (editor, "British Medical Journal") attacks the media for seizing reports of medical advances while research is still under way and before the researchers' papers have been peer-reviewed. The programme highlights the difference in approach between scientists and the media and warns that most "breakthroughs" are, in fact, cul-de-sacs.