Joel Brind

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Joel L. Brind
Born 1951
Fields Endocrinology
Institutions Baruch College
Alma mater New York University
Thesis Studies on the androgen-dependent differentiation of cells of the mouse preputial gland : metabolism of testosterone and effects of selected drugs and hormones (1981)
Known for Abortion-breast cancer hypothesis
Website
Brind's faculty page

Dr. Joel Brind is a professor of biology and endocrinology at Baruch College, City University of New York since 1986, a research biochemist since 1981, and CEO of Natural Food Science, a maker of glycine supplement products founded in 2010. Brind is a leading advocate of the abortion-breast cancer hypothesis, a theory rejected by major medical bodies[1] which states that abortion increases the risk of breast cancer.[2]

Early life and education

Brind grew up in Laurelton, Queens, where he decided he wanted to become a biochemist at the age of 10 after reading an issue of Life Magazine where the cover story described the discoveries scientists had recently made about the inner workings of the cell, using electron microscopy.[2] He has a bachelors degree from Yale (1971)[3] and a Ph.D. from New York University in biochemistry, immunology and physiology.[4] Four years after that, Brind had a spiritual awakening, after which he decided to try to use science to pursue what he saw as a "noble" goal of discouraging women from killing their unborn children.[2]

Advocacy

Working on studies concerning amino acid metabolism and aging, Brind concluded that most diets are deficient in the amino acid glycine, and that this deficiency is responsible for illnesses caused by chronic inflammation, including arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. He also attributes what are thought to be normal responses such as pain and stiffness following strenuous exercise and injury, to glycine deficiency. In 2010, Brind founded Natural Food Science, LLC, through which glycine supplement products Proglyta and Sweetamine are manufactured and sold.[5]

Regarding his research on breast cancer, Brind has worked as a consultant and expert witness for pro-life groups like Christ's Bride Ministries, and has fought against the legalization of RU-486 testifying at a federal hearing that "thousands upon thousands" of women would develop breast cancer as a result of using the drug.[6] Brind was an invitee to the National Cancer Institute's conference on the ABC issue[7] where he filed the minority dissenting comment.[8] In a meeting between Colorado Right To Life and the Denver affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure regarding Komen grants to Planned Parenthood, Brind urged the breast cancer group to re-consider the idea that abortion is linked to breast cancer.[9]

In 1999, in collaboration with several physician colleagues, Brind founded the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute. The Breast Cancer Prevention Institute is a non-profit corporation, which, through research publications, lectures, and the internet, promotes a link between abortion and breast cancer.

Meta-analysis

Dr. Brind et al. (1996) conducted a meta-analysis of 23 independent epidemiologic studies.[10] It calculated that there was on average a relative risk of 1.3 (1.2 - 1.4) increased risk of breast cancer. The meta-analysis was criticized for selection bias by using studies with widely varying results, using different types of studies and not working with the raw data from several studies, and including studies that have methodological weaknesses.[11]

Criticism

Experts believe Brind overlooks methodological weaknesses of some studies he uses as evidence for an abortion-breast cancer link. Furthermore, medical researchers note Brind overstates his findings since his own research shows a "barely statistically significant" increase in breast cancer rates.[12] In reaction to the criticism an editor of the journal that published Brind's study noted with concern:

However, in the light of recent unease about appropriate but open communication of risks associated with oral contraceptive pills, it will surely be agreed that open discussion of risks is vital and must include the people – in this case the women – concerned. I believe that if you take a view (as I do), which is often called 'pro-choice', you need at the same time to have a view which might be called 'pro-information' without excessive paternalistic censorship (or interpretation) of the data.[13]

Selected publications

  • Friedman, G. D.; Blaner, W. S.; Goodman, D. S.; Vogelman, J. H.; Brind, J. L.; Hoover, R.; Fireman, B. H.; Orentreich, N. (1986). "Serum retinol and retinol-binding protein levels do not predict subsequent lung cancer". American journal of epidemiology 123 (5): 781–789. PMID 3962962. 
  • Brind, J. L. (1991). "Direct radioimmunoassay of androstenediol-3-sulfate in the serum of normal men". Steroids 56 (6): 320–324. PMID 1926228. 
  • Levitz, M.; Raju, U.; Arcuri, F.; Brind, J. L.; Vogelman, J. H.; Orentreich, N.; Granata, O. M.; Castagnetta, L. (1992). "Relationship between the concentrations of estriol sulfate and estrone sulfate in human breast cyst fluid". The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 75 (3): 726–729. doi:10.1210/jc.75.3.726. PMID 1387652. 

References

  1. ↑ "The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion". Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-11-07. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Research and Destroy" by Chris Mooney
  3. ↑ short bio of Brind
  4. ↑ Baruch College bio of Brind
  5. ↑ "About Natural Food Science". Proglyta. Retrieved 7 August 2013. 
  6. ↑ "Concerned Women for America - Family Voice". Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. 
  7. ↑ NCI workshop findings
  8. ↑ Minority dissenting opinion
  9. ↑ Colorado RTL / Komen meeting
  10. ↑ Brind J, Chinchilli VM, Severs WB, Summy-Long J (1996). "Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis". Journal of epidemiology and community health 50 (5): 481–96. doi:10.1136/jech.50.5.481. PMC 1060338. PMID 8944853. 
  11. ↑ "Planned Parenthood - Anti-Choice Claims About Abortion and Breast Cancer published". plannedparenthood.org. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved 2007-11-04. 
  12. ↑ SkepticFiles.org: Study Linking Breast Cancer, Abortion Widely Criticized
  13. ↑ Donnan S (December 1996). "Abortion, breast cancer, and impact factors--in this number and the last". J Epidemiol Community Health 50 (6): 605. doi:10.1136/jech.50.6.605. PMC 1060372. PMID 9039374. Retrieved 2008-08-21. 

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