Day 254 - 22 May 96 - Page 03

     
     1
     2        "A further major review of the scientific evidence related
     3        to diet and cancer has been published in the European
     4        Journal of Cancer Prevention in 1995.  This article was
     5        produced by M.J. Hill to provide advice which was given to
     6        the Committee on medical aspects of Food Policy Working
     7        Group on diet and cancer."
     8
     9        I will ask you to identify that article by Hill in a
    10        moment, but can I ask you this: Has the Committee yet
    11        produced its report on diet and cancer?
    12        A.  As far as I am aware, it has not yet produced a report.
    13
    14   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You do not know whether there is a forecast
    15        for that?
    16        A.  I am afraid I do not, my Lord.
    17
    18   Q.   No.
    19
    20   MR. RAMPTON:  Then also in that file at the back, there should
         be something that looks like that?
    22        A.  Yes, indeed I have got that.
    23
    24   Q.   It is a bit more than an article, it looks rather like a
    25        small book, but is that the paper to which you refer in
    26        your latest report?
    27        A.  It is indeed.  It is a major review, as I have said in
    28        my report.
    29
    30   Q.   It is the one you have discussed in your report?
    31        A.  Yes.
    32
    33   Q.   Thank you, Dr. Arnott.
    34
    35   MR. JUSTICE BELL: Before you are cross-examined, Dr. Arnott, you
    36        make various approving comments in relation to Dr. Hill and
    37        Hunter and others, but can I understand from that that you
    38        agree with their various findings and conclusions in both
    39        articles?
    40        A.  I would say that, on the whole, I do, my Lord.  I think
         they are both, certainly the new article published in the
    42        New England Journal of Medicine is produced by people who
    43        are leaders in the field of epidemiology.  The final name
    44        on that paper is Walter Willett, whom we have discussed on
    45        previous occasions, and he is a recognised leader in the
    46        field.
    47
    48   Q.   For the purposes of this case, for "colorectal cancer" can
    49        I substitute "cancer of the bowel" or "of the large bowel"?
    50        A.  Yes, certainly. 
    51 
    52   Q.   I thought I could, but, I thought it best to check. 
    53
    54   MR. RAMPTON:  Effectively then, Dr. Arnott, do you endorse the
    55        work done by Hill and by Hunter and his colleagues?
    56        A.  Yes, I do indeed.
    57
    58                   Cross-examined by the Defendants
    59
    60   MS. STEEL:   Do you have your statement in front of you?