Pseudo-science...what?

Have you ever noticed advertisements (commercials especially) that use the testimonies of doctors or scientists to endorse a product?  Probably.  But have you ever really really paid attention to them?  Did you ever stop to think that the people in the commercials are probably actors?  Not doctors, scientists, or experts of any kind.  If you never thought about that, you probably weren't likely to take the time to really listen to claims these people made in the commercials.  Most of these ads make the argument that the results of some type of scientific study suggest that this specific brand is the best product for consumers.  Take a look at this one.

The woman in the commercial says that 3,000 doctors were surveyed to review the 5-hour-energy drink.  The percentages reported by the person in the commercial do not directly relate to the consumption of 5-hour energy drinks.  They actually discuss the consumption of energy drinks in general--or low calorie energy drinks.  I didn't think about this when I first saw the commercial, so I guess it would have persuaded me that 5-hour energy is a healthier way to consume caffeine.

But after reviewing it in a critical way, I noticed that the information in the commercial was not really about 5-hor energy drinks at all.  it only uses images of the 5-hour energy drink in order to allow viewers to make the connection between the drink and healthiness.

The small print on the commercial explains that actually less than the majority of doctors surveyed preferred the energy drink.

I think it's deceptive to use this type of testimonial in an advertisement because it does keep a lot of the facts hidden from consumers.  It only says how many doctors they asked--not how many doctors answered.  I think that's important too.  Although the commercial is deceptive, I think it was probably pretty successful for the intended market--busy middle-aged men and women.


What do you think about the ethics of this type of advertisement?