Day 256 - 04 Jun 96 - Page 11
1 that are contained therein, if we examine the relationship
2 between the intakes of these foods and these nutrients and
3 the prevalence of these kinds of diseases in human
4 populations, we again see the association that is in accord
5 with the biological plausibility that I just mentioned.
6
7 So, when one has both biological plausibility, on the one
8 hand, especially the comprehensive plausibility that we are
9 now basically obtaining, together with these numerous
10 association that have been published many times over, it
11 clearly establishes a very, very strong and convincing
12 association of causality.
13
14 So, I would suggest it does, in fact, raise risk
15 substantially, especially for people who are particularly
16 vulnerable, for various and sundry reasons, to these kind
17 of diseases.
18
19 Q. You said something about the prevalence of such diseases.
20 I mean, it may be an obvious question, but do you consider
21 these diseases prevalent or not prevalent in our society?
22 A. They are very prevalent. Both the death rates from
23 these diseases -- mortality rates, if you will -- as well
24 as the occurrence of the disease, the morbidity, or just
25 the occurrence, the incidence of the disease amongst those
26 who have not yet died, are very high, both of course in the
27 UK and other western countries, in the United States. So,
28 that is what I mean by "prevalence": the number of cases
29 of people who are now living or who are dying from these
30 diseases.
31
32 Q. I am sure this is an obvious question, as well. Are these
33 diseases serious or not serious for the individuals
34 contracting them?
35 A. They are clearly very serious -----
36
37 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Well, I really do not think you need to
38 answer that.
39
40 MR. MORRIS: It is so obvious, that I do not need to ask it.
41
42 MR. RAMPTON: It is not in issue.
43
44 MR. MORRIS: You talked about people who are particularly at
45 risk. Can you explain what you mean by that?
46 A. Well, as we go through life and as we begin life, in
47 fact, each of us as individuals have varying degrees of
48 risk for various and sundry diseases -- perhaps related to
49 our genetic background, perhaps related to other kinds of
50 events that we may experience during our lives; and so, we
51 simply are presented with varying degrees of risk. So the
52 consumption of these kind of diets containing these kinds
53 of nutrients that you just referred to clearly are most
54 problematic to those who are at highest risk. They clearly
55 are going to be the individuals. I mean, that is basically
56 common sense, as well as supported by theoretical
57 considerations. These are the kind of individuals who are
58 first going to suffer these kinds of diseases.
59
60 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you mean people who are genetically
