Day 256 - 04 Jun 96 - Page 50
1 A. It was 507 in one place. Yes, you are right.
2
3 Q. Altogether and they did have significantly different diets,
4 did they not?
5 A. Somewhat, yes, in terms of the composition of the diet,
6 not necessarily in term of nutrient composition.
7
8 Q. I understand that, but in terms of the actual items there
9 were different types of cabbage?
10 A. Yes.
11
12 Q. Does it tell us this -- and I will ask you what you think
13 about this methodology in a moment -- but if it was well
14 done as a study, does it tell us this: On the one hand,
15 that you may be right, plant food is protective. On the
16 other hand, that you may well be wrong that animal fat is
17 generative of these conditions, if it be right?
18 A. I do not think I am wrong when I speak about -- you are
19 leading me into something very specific and that is animal
20 fat, just animal fat. Animal fat, primarily saturated
21 type, certainly has an adverse effect and that is a
22 consensus view throughout the community. There is no
23 question about that. Whether or not it is specifically
24 involved in each and every kind of adverse effect one can
25 think about, that is obviously questionable. But if there
26 is an effect of animal fat it is always adverse. But that
27 in turn depends on the total amount of fat in the diet.
28 So, we have to take the comments in the proper context.
29
30 Q. What did you think of the methodology of this study?
31 A. I really did not see anything particularly wrong with
32 it. I do not recall having found anything in particular.
33
34 Q. It is a fairly, I say routine, it has striking features,
35 but it is a routine sort of study; is it not?
36 A. I think so, and these are qualified people.
37
38 Q. Yes, precisely. Henderson, for example, has done quite a
39 lot of work in this field and so has Ross, has he not?
40 A. Yes except none of them are nutritionists.
41
42 Q. No. What are their professional qualifications or
43 backgrounds?
44 A. Pathology, molecular biology, clinicians.
45
46 Q. But, as far as you are concerned, have the statistics been
47 properly done? That is a very important feature of these
48 studies?
49 A. I have no reason to question the statistics.
50
51 Q. Can you turn then, please, to the table 3 on -- I am afraid
52 the page markings on mine are almost obliterated but
53 I think it is probably about page 1356.
54 A. There is the large table occupying the entire page.
55
56 Q. Yes, that is the one. If you can turn it sideways if it is
57 easier for you where the data are analysed, according to
58 relative risk, first for each centre and then cumulatively
59 in the third block. Do you see that total?
60 A. Yes.
