There are so many examples of these kinds of pseudo-scientific pseudo-studies funded by various interests groups. One of the most infamous comes to mind: In 1963, the Sugar Research Foundation (SRF) paid Harvard researchers the equivalent of $50k to refute sugar’s role in heart disease. So, the "researchers" happily produced the results they were paid to produce. Instead of blaming sugar, Harvard and the SRF blamed cholesterol and saturated fat.

Another, more recent apotheoses of absurdity is the "Food Compass" created by the "researches" of Tufts univ. After spending 3 years and millions of $$ on their "studies" they showed that Cheerios and Lucky Charms are healthy foods and should be "encouraged." In all, nearly 70 brand-named cereals from General Mills, Kellogg’s, and Post are ranked twice as high as eggs and ground beef. Although the "study" was formally funded by NIH, i.e., the US gov-t, it is crystal clear what interest groups were pulling the strings behind the scenes...