RE: If you do Science, use the Scientific Method!

["NIXON, Grant (Kanata)" <GNIXON@MDS.Nordion.com>]

Bill, you misinterpreted my comments.

 

What I stated was that it is most unfortunate that some people work so hard at trying to discredit PEOPLE (e.g., by trying to ridicule them or label them quacks). Like you, I am a strong proponent of open and honest debate. 

 

To respond to your first quote, LNT at low doses is precisely such a "hypothesis" that some people are trying to discredit. As I stated in my email, indeed, people need to question it and thrash it about.

 

I disagree with your statement regarding chemical carcinogens. It is generally accepted practice that threshold levels are established for most chemical toxins, with very few exceptions. It is also well-established in that field that "the dose makes the poison." That is to say, chemicals that are toxic at high dose often are beneficial (sometimes vital) at low doses. In this regard, radiation is treated quite differently (perhaps unfairly).

 

I am not interested in playing the victim. That is why I do not smoke, I do not routinely drink alcohol, I try to keep excess weight off, etc. Eliminating well-established risk factors is prudent, but eliminating low-doses of radiation is way down on the list even if the LNT low-dose "conjecture" were an established fact.

 

My opinions only. And, yes, "Curies forever".

 

Best regards,

 

Grant



-----Original Message-----

From: William V Lipton [mailto:liptonw@dteenergy.com]

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 10:50 AM

To: NIXON, Grant (Kanata)

Cc: 'Stabin, Michael'; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Re: If you do Science, use the Scientific Method!





Good scientific practice requires that a hypothesis be tested. Part of this test is for scientists to attempt to discredit it.  Why do you consider this "most unfortunate"? 



The requirements for chemical carcinogens are generally as conservative as those for radiation.  I am not sure why some nuclear advocates are so eager to play the victim. 





The opinions expressed are strictly mine. 

It's not about dose, it's about trust. 

Curies forever. 





Bill Lipton 

liptonw@dteenergy.com 





"NIXON, Grant (Kanata)" wrote: ... 





It is odd (and most unfortunate) how some people work so hard at trying to discredit those who dare challenge accepted practices....If this same philosophy, placing the burden of proof on "establishing safety beyond a reasonable doubt", were applied to other areas of worker safety, then I dare say that most chemical (and many other) plants would have to shut down permanently.... My opinions only.Grant 



-----Original Message----- 

From: Stabin, Michael [ mailto:michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu <mailto:michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu> ] 

Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 12:39 PM 

To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu 

Subject: RE: If you do Science, use the Scientific Method!

< Snip>I think it is good policy to be prudent until we have the clear evidence or a unified and well confirmed model that eliminates this reasonable doubt<Snip>