Day 297 - 08 Nov 96 - Page 17
1 interpreted the Norwegian study as indicating that a
2 reduced intake of food can delay the menarche and
3 development of the person, a relevant factor in the
4 development of breast cancer. That was day 23, page 16.
5 Dr. Arnott stated that in 1990 it was generally believed
6 that diet was to play a part in the development of some
7 cancers. That was day 23, page 21. He considered that the
8 advice to avoid being overweight and to cut down on fats
9 given by the Health Education Authority in England in the
10 pamphlet 'Can You Avoid Cancer' -- that was the yellow
11 booklet you might remember -- was a reasonable approach.
12 That was day 23, page 25.
13
14 Again, since it was talking about avoiding cancer, there
15 has got to be a clear inference that with a high fat diet
16 there is a real risk. That was on day 23, page 25.
17
18 MR. MORRIS: I just want to say the last point, the section
19 from the last point about Dr. Arnott saying it was
20 generally believed in 1990 that diet was likely to play a
21 part in the development of some of these cancers, is at
22 line 18 to 20.
23
24 MR JUSTICE BELL: What, on page 21?
25
26 MR. MORRIS: On page 21. And that was a direct quote and,
27 I think, really, is the be all and end all of the situation
28 as regards link between diet and cancer from their main
29 witness, because really Dr. Arnott's view or not as an
30 individual is far less important than the fact that he is
31 recognising it was the general scientific belief. He is
32 talking about scientific belief, if you see the context
33 there, is that they are causally related through the
34 development of some of these cancers. And I think that
35 should be flagged up quite strongly.
36
37 MS. STEEL: In re-examination, Dr. Arnott agreed that in 1989,
38 which obviously was the time of the alleged libel, there
39 was mounting evidence that a high fat low fibre diet may
40 play a part in causing common cancers, and he further
41 agrees that research has suspected a link, between breast
42 and bowel cancers and the food they ate, in 1989. That was
43 day 23, page 30. I think I am moving on to Professor Keene
44 now.
45
46 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you want a break? Yes. Five minutes.
47
48 (Short Adjournment)
49
50 MS. STEEL: Moving on to Professor Keene, he accepted that a
51 diet high in fat was one of the contributors to the
52 development of non-insulin dependent diabetes, by way of
53 the development of diabetes. Day 29, page 8. He agreed
54 that an excess of sugar is one of the things that can
55 contribute to obesity. Day 29, page 14. He stated that
56 the higher the average salt intake is the more people will
57 fall into the hypertension category. That was day 29, page
58 15.
59
60 Under cross-examination, he accepted that it was reasonable
