Discrediting the counterpoint?

Two nites ago, I published the only counterpoint I could find to the Brits recomendation of discontinuing the use of  large head metal on metal implants.  I thought the  publication was  odd because it came out the same time the Lancet article was published recommending that they not be used any more. Further, I noted one of the authors was a surgeon who published and worked  for Depuy before.  Sure enough, he may have been  paid in 2011 to pull those articles together or at least it looks that way.  http://www.mydepuyhiprecall.com/2012/03/counter-point-to-recent-metal-on-metal.html  (one of our readers pointed this out to me.)

I think there is nothing wrong with being paid to perform work.  We all get paid to perform work but if you are publishing in a journal with the presumption of objectivity, I would want to know who paid you to do the work.  With respect to Dr. Kindsfetter, I would like to know what percentage of his patients recieve metal on metal implants at this point.

I  think that all journal articles should have a clear indication of what money funded the publication.  A source of funds statement would be in order. Medical companies are a huge source of research dollars to science.  I just think there should be full disclosure of the source of funds for medical studies.  We do that in Finance now.  If someone is advocating the purchase of stock and their institution has an interest in pushing it, it must be disclosed via the safe harbor provisions which require the disclosure.  Surely medicine is no different.

From the Depuy web site: http://www.depuy.com/about-depuy/depuy-divisions/depuy-orthopaedics/find-surgeon/104

Dr. Kirk Kindsfater specializes in joint replacement and reconstruction. He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Kindsfater did his orthopaedic residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado and followed this with a fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine in Boston. He is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and is a past president of the Colorado Orthopaedic Society. Dr. Kindsfater has practiced in Fort Collins, CO since 1995. Dr. Kindsfater has extensive clinical experience, having performed over 7,000 hip and knee replacement procedures since beginning practice in 1995.

2010		Jan-Dec 2011
Consulting Income for Professional Services	$46,699	$153,842
Clinical Research	$0	$9,132
Commercial Air	$2,868	$7,688
Corporate Air	$1,973	$741
Direct Expense Reimbursement	$4,834	$1,007
Lodging	$977	$1,372
Meals	$1,233	$2,163
Transportation	$491	$370