Day 269 - 25 Jun 96 - Page 43


     
     1   Q.   Fine?
     2        A.   But that is really a minor point.  I do not want to
     3        labour it.
     4
     5   Q.   Finally then, before we adjourn for lunch, can I ask you to
     6        look at a conclusion about the relationship between fat and
     7        cancer on page 52?
     8        A.   Page which?
     9
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Page 52 please, Professor.
    11
    12   MR. RAMPTON:  Without wasting time, you can see at the top of
    13        the page, previous paragraph 3.5.5:  "Dietary fat and
    14        aetiology of cancer" is all about the relationship of fat
    15        and dietary cancer.  Then I ask you to look at the
    16        conclusions at 3.5.6:
    17
    18        "Conclusions.  The Panel concluded that there is currently
    19        insufficient evidence on which to base a recommendation for
    20        a decrease in fat intakes to prevent cancer, although an
    21        increase in the consumption of fatty acid should not be
    22        encouraged.  The Panel agreed that the DRV's based on other
    23        considerations and presented in paragraph 3.8 (that
    24        Professor has to do with heart disease) were consistent
    25        with a prudent view of the current data relating dietary
    26        fat and the occurrence of cancer."
    27
    28        It is almost identical to what we saw in the WHO; is it
    29        not?
    30        A.   Except that I think I point out to the WHO that its
    31        recommendation does, on the basis of the evidence, when it
    32        draws its final conclusions, make a specific recommendation
    33        about the reduction of dietary fat.
    34
    35   Q.   I accept that?
    36        A.   Yes.  I mean, I would feel unhappy about these
    37        statements here, and that would make me now return to your
    38        first question about the composition of the committee.  I
    39        would have to say that there is not one person on the
    40        committee that is an expert in fat metabolism.  Nor is
    41        there an expert on that committee in cancer, as far as I
    42        can see.
    43
    44   Q.   Well, to be fair, you are not an expert on cancer?
    45        A.   I am not an expert on cancer.  I happen to be an
    46        expert in dietary fats and health, I think I can claim
    47        that.
    48
    49   Q.   I know that and I would not dream of arguing with you about
    50        any aspect of it, but it is a two stage question; is it
    51        not?
    52        A.  It is indeed.
    53
    54   Q.   You can study the fatty bit?
    55        A.   Yes.
    56
    57   Q.   Somebody else has to study the cancer bit?
    58        A.   That is right.  But I think, again with respect, I
    59        think you should compare this with the Scottish
    60        recommendations where, I think, they are much more firm

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