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User talk:Shibbolethink

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Request for Self-Reversion: Evidence of Fluoride Associations Below Guidelines

Thank you for your input on the Water fluoridation article. I wanted to clarify why the lead reflects WP:MEDRS-compliant evidence with regards to the evidence of childhood neurodevelopment issues below guidelines (removed excerpt). The JAMA Pediatrics meta-analysis (2025) shows statistically significant (consistently linear dose-response) inverse associations between urinary fluoride levels below 1.5 mg/L (not limited to prenatal exposure) and reduced IQ. Since urinary fluoride is a superior measure of total fluoride exposure compared to water levels (as stated in the meta-analysis), this strongly suggests that the current WHO guideline of 1.5 mg/L in water is insufficient to prevent adverse neurodevelopment outcomes. Grandjean et al. (2023) further supports this with a benchmark concentration (BMC) of 0.45 mg/L and a BMCL of 0.28 mg/L.

Given this evidence, I believe it would be appropriate for you to self-revert this change to reflect consensus and ensure accuracy, since WP:MEDRS sources clearly support the statement that you removed. The part you removed was also written by another user who first opposed its inclusion but later supported it. Keep in mind too that the statement is worded as "some evidence" i.e. not overstating the science, and uses the exact scientific language ("associations"). I’m happy to discuss further if needed. MightyLebowski (talk) 00:32, 3 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

statement is worded as "some evidence" i.e. not overstating the science, and uses the exact scientific language ("associations"). I’m happy to discuss further if needed
Given that this is still under significant debate in the scientific community, we should wait for it to be more settled science before reporting it on Wikipedia. — Shibbolethink ( ♕) 04:04, 3 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]
There’s no such thing as truly "settled science" because science evolves with evidence. However, the JAMA meta-analysis meets WP:MEDRS standards for scientific consensus and shows robust associations that are relevant now. Waiting for “settled” science in toxicological areas like fluoride exposure outcomes creates potential indefinite delays in reflecting valid, peer-reviewed evidence. Using cautious terms like “some evidence” already addresses the nuance appropriately and complies with Wikipedia policy, which doesn't require absolute, undeniable evidence to be included (WP:PROOF requires reliable sourcing, not indisputable proof). Given this, a self-revert would help ensure the article remains policy-compliant and accurately reflects the current body of evidence with appropriate nuance.
The reality is that this language errs on the side of understating the evidence, since the JAMA meta-analysis found clear, undeniable, and statistically significant associations of adverse neurodevelopment outcomes below the guidelines. You shouldn't mistake the cautious language as meaning the evidence is weak, since these are the findings of a high-quality meta-analysis supported by low-risk-of-bias studies. So the excerpt:

with some evidence indicating associations below current guidelines

is clearly supported by high-quality WP:MEDRS-compliant evidence (the opposite of your edit justification). MightyLebowski (talk) 08:22, 3 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]
the JAMA meta-analysis meets WP:MEDRS standards for scientific consensus
Not when other equally high quality MEDRSes did not find the same association. We don't just go off our favorite sources. We look at the overall picture of the BEST AVAILABLE sources. Scientific consensus has a very specific meaning on wikipedia, and that term doesn't apply here. See also: Wikipedia:RS/AC
This addition has WP:WEASEL written all over it, so until it's more settled science more robustly supported by a wider range of MEDRSes, it has no place on wikpedia. — Shibbolethink ( ♕) 13:21, 3 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The WP:WEASEL claim is incorrect and misapplied here. WP:WEASEL prohibits vague statements without attribution, but the phrase “with some evidence indicating associations below current guidelines” is directly tied to the JAMA Pediatrics (2025) meta-analysis, a high-quality WP:MEDRS-compliant source. The statement is precise and properly attributed, not vague or misleading.
WP:MEDRS does not require excluding valid evidence simply because previous reviews didn’t find the same association. The JAMA meta-analysis is the best available evidence due to its superior exposure metric (urinary fluoride), inclusion of longitudinal research, and low-risk-of-bias studies. Scientific consensus is not static, and waiting for complete agreement would result in indefinite delays in updating articles. Additionally, WP:MEDRS explicitly recognizes meta-analyses as key sources for representing scientific consensus.
The phrasing appropriately captures the complexity of the evidence and reflects the findings without overstating them. Excluding this would be a disservice to accuracy, as WP:MEDRS supports including up-to-date, peer-reviewed evidence with proper context.
Let’s focus on balance and ensuring key research findings are presented, not excluded. MightyLebowski (talk) 03:09, 5 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

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