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Indeed, this is an interesting thread. Suspicion about industry funded guideline development has been expressed. However, can we really assume that government funded guideline production is inherently insulated from political interference? At least one technology assessment unit became unfunded after its recommendations clashed with political messages. And what about intimidation of government funded or even government employed reviewers by threat of lawsuit delaying or derailing production of a published report (e.g. examples in the history of drug review panels of purchasing authorities). Borrowing a cliche from the statistical world, "all models are wrong but some are useful." The importance of critical appraisal probably can't be overstated. David. -- David Birnbaum, PhD, MPH Adjunct Professor School of Nursing & School of Population and Public Health University of British Columbia Principal, Applied Epidemiology British Columbia, Canada