Day 297 - 08 Nov 96 - Page 12


     
     1        body of evidence and respectable organisations who support
     2        the theory that some dietary fats may be involved in the
     3        development of breast and colon cancer, although he was of
     4        the belief that he could not say conclusively if it was a
     5        factor.  He did admit that he was also not in a position to
     6        say for certain that he could show cause and effect in
     7        relation to smoking and lung cancer, which obviously is a
     8        point we have already made.  Day 22, page 7 and day 22,
     9        page 3.
    10
    11        We submit that this shows the special relationship of risk
    12        and health in the minds of ordinary citizens.  Smoking is
    13        readily linked to cancer, despite the official state of
    14        research, and no one would consider that there was anything
    15        wrong about publishing a leaflet drawing the link to the
    16        attention of the public; and in fact on the contrary, it
    17        would be applauded.  We say that should be the case for
    18        drawing the links between diet and cancer for the public as
    19        well, so they can choose for themselves whether or not they
    20        want to take the risk.
    21
    22        In response to quotes from the World Health Organisation
    23        report on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic
    24        diseases, which was published in 1990, Dr. Arnott said what
    25        it said about diet and cancer was reasonable and that the
    26        conclusion appears to be that there is a relationship
    27        between fat and the development of cancer.  That was day
    28        22, page 12.
    29
    30        He also agreed that the WHO consider there is a link
    31        between obesity and cancer, which was day 22, page 13.  He
    32        conceded that although his view is that there is not a
    33        conclusive relationship between fat and cancer, it would be
    34        prudent to try and reduce your fat intake.  Day 22, page
    35        15.  Why you would want to do that if there was not a risk,
    36        I don't know.
    37
    38        After we quoted Professor Wheelock's statement to him, Dr.
    39        Arnott admitted that diet does play an important role in
    40        degenerative diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
    41        That was on day 22, page 28.  And he agreed that there was
    42        a considerable amount of evidence to suggest this link, and
    43        considered that in the light of this, the recommendation to
    44        eat less of the foods that are rich in fat, sugar and salt
    45        is reasonable.  That was day 22, page 29.
    46
    47        Dr. Arnott stated that it was reasonable to assume that
    48        aspects of our diet are involved in the causation of
    49        certain illnesses, including cancer.  That was day 22, page
    50        30.  And he agreed that it was a reasonable position to
    51        assume in 1985 and at the present date that diet is an
    52        important contributory factor to cancer, on day 22, page
    53        31.
    54
    55        I referred yesterday to Dr. Arnott agreeing that the
    56        statement made in the London Greenpeace fact sheet was a
    57        reasonable statement when it was directed to the public.  I
    58        can't remember if I gave a reference for that.
    59
    60   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, I think you did.  Give it to me now.

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