Press Action

Sunday, February 15, 2004

Press Action Hero of the Week: NEAL BARNARD

Many people are rolling their eyes in dismay at the controversy over whether Dr. Robert Atkins, the advocate of a diet heavy in animal products, was obese and suffering from heart problems at the time of his death in April 2003. Why not let the man rest in peace?

The problem is Atkins made a lot of enemies, along with significant wealth, through the promotion of his high-protein fad diet. Groups dedicated to the cause of human health and animal welfare view Atkins’ diet program as a ringing endorsement of the meat and dairy industries. Debunking Atkins’ claims has become a top priority of these organizations.

One of the Atkins Diet’s most intrepid adversaries is the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the group that orchestrated the release of the medical information about Atkins’ medical condition at the time of his death. And the man behind the Washington, D.C.-based group is Dr. Neal Barnard, a psychiatrist originally from North Dakota who earned a place on the animal exploitation industry’s most wanted list soon after he founded PCRM in 1985.

Read full article -->