Teenager wants to cure skin cancer with soap
Teenager wants to cure skin cancer with soap

Teenage scientist Heman Bekele’s ultimate goal is to cure melanoma. After winning 3M’s Young Scientist Challenge by inventing soap that can cure skin cancer, he caught the attention of Dr. Jay William Fox, associate director at the University of Virginia’s cancer center.
Read the full article on CBS Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article contains some accurate information regarding Heman Bekele's invention and recognition. However, the claim that the soap can "cure skin cancer" is an overstatement and not fully supported by the provided sources, which describe it as a "potential" treatment or a "cancer-fighting soap." The article exhibits a moderate bias by presenting the invention in an overly optimistic light.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** Teenage scientist Heman Bekele's ultimate goal is to cure melanoma.
- Verification Source #2: Supports that Heman Bekele is working on a treatment for skin cancer.
- Verification Source #3: Supports that Heman Bekele created a potential skin cancer-treating soap.
- Verification Source #1: Supports that Heman Bekele developed a soap that could help fight skin cancer.
- Verdict:* Mostly accurate. The sources support his work towards treating skin cancer.
- Claim:** After winning 3M's Young Scientist Challenge by inventing soap that can cure skin cancer...
- Verification Source #1: States he won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
- Verification Source #3: States he created a "potential skin cancer-treating soap."
- Verification Source #2: Refers to his invention as "Skin Cancer Treating Soap."
- Verdict:* Partially accurate. He did win the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. However, the claim that the soap "can cure skin cancer" is an overstatement. The sources suggest it's a potential treatment or helps fight skin cancer, not a guaranteed cure.
- Claim:** ...he caught the attention of Dr. Jay William Fox, associate director at the University of Virginia's cancer center.
- Verdict:* Not covered by the provided sources. Cannot be verified.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- The sources generally agree that Heman Bekele invented a soap with the potential to treat skin cancer and that he won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (Verification Source #1, Verification Source #2, Verification Source #3).
- The main point of contention is the phrase "cure skin cancer." The sources are more cautious, using terms like "potential skin cancer-treating soap" (Verification Source #3) and "soap that could help fight skin cancer" (Verification Source #1). This suggests the CBS article exaggerates the effectiveness of the soap.
- The claim about Dr. Jay William Fox is not covered by any of the provided sources.