AW: [ RadSafe ] In utero dose "Alara Does Work" ?!!

[John Jacobus]

Rainer,

Most of the references material I have refer to other
studies that Dr. Cameron refered to as well as the
shipyard worker study, and I am trying to avoid
expanding the issue.  Nevertheless, the following I
think directly indicates the problem with the shipyard
study.

"The (Navy Shipyard Worker Study) is characterized by
an unhealthy control group, making it one of the very
few studies in occupational epidemiology not to find a
'health worker effect'(Table 1).  This odd finding
challenges the consisttency criterion(15) (findings
whould be consistent across studies) and makes the
entire study suspect.  Comparisons with an unhealthy
control group will, of course, sho a protective
effect!"

This appeared in Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 98:2,
239-245 (2002) as part of a debate.  If you want a
copy, let me know.

As the data is suspect, I think that you will agree
that the conclusions draw by Dr. Cameron may also be
suspect.  Of course, it you think he is right, you are
ignoring the scientific analysis.

As a personal note, Dr. Cameron and I debated this and
other points several years before he died.  He
eventually said that he was not going to cite the
shipyard worker study due to the questions about it.

--- Rainer.Facius at dlr.de wrote:

> John:
> 
> Please, could you provide some references to
> published work where the debate counter Cameron's
> arguments has been documented. 
> 
> Also, if I remember correctly, Cameron served on the
> external referee board which closely supervised
> Matanoski's nuclear shipyard study. I find it
> difficult to imagine that he was called without
> quite some professional standing also in
> epidemiology - but of course I may err here.
> 
> Kind regards, Rainer
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl im Auftrag von John
> Jacobus
> Gesendet: Do 20.04.2006 22:00
> An: howard long; jjcohen at prodigy.net; Michael Bohan;
> radsafe at radlab.nl
> Betreff: Re: [ RadSafe ] In utero dose "Alara Does
> Work" ?!!
> 
> 
> Dr. Long,
> The late Dr. Cameron's conclusions were debated and
> argued many times.  He was not a trained
> epidemiologist.  You are not a trained
> epidemiologist,
> although you claim to have studied to be one.  
> 
> 


+++++++++++++++++++
"A scientist's aim in a discussion with his colleagues is not to persuade, but to clarify." 
Leo Szilard
-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail:  crispy_bird at yahoo.com

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