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

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