Re: LNT, SNT, or whatever

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, Harry Hinks wrote:

> 
> But, getting back to your point - I would think there are better ways of 
> testing the LNT than using summary data. 

	--"The Scientific Method" requires that a theory must pass any
experimental test. If it fails any one, the theory must be abandoned


 Cellular level studies would 
> appear to have much more control over variables that may influence the 
> outcome.  I imagine there are many variables that you have little control of 
> when using summary data.  To control these variables, you would be dependent 
> on using more summary data as a means of control.

	--For five years, I have been challenging people to suggest a
possible confounder that will explain my data without abandoning LNT.
Several people have tried, and I have tried myself many times, but I
have always been able to show that every confounder that has been
suggested cannot do the job, or even come close.In many of these cases I
used other than summary data. If a suggestion is made, it is up to me to
analyze it in any way I can. If anyone makes a suggestion and gets it
accepted for publication in HEALTH PHYSICS or some equivalent journal,
they automatically get a $1000 reward from me, because I will then be
given an opportunity to do an analysis and get it published. To the best
of my knowledge, HEALTH PHYSICS has accepted for publication every
suggestion that has been offered, so people who believe as you do have an
easy way to get $1000. They get this reward regardless of whether or not I
can show that it does not explain my data - I have nothing to do with the
process other than writing the check.

 Dr. Raabe previously 
> mentioned that you could not take into account the summary level bias.  

	--If that is so, it should be easy for Otto to suggest an
explanation and collect $1000.

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