Re: LNT - a semantic comment

[Bill Prestwich <prestwic@mcmaster.ca>]

I think a zero slope would not make sense-this is equivalent to no rate of

change with dose, which means independence. It would of course apply in the

region below a threshhold-if there was one-then a linear approximation would be

the first approximation for small enough doses above the threshhold.

Bill



Bjorn Cedervall wrote:



> >There is nothing about the Taylor series that says the coefficient of the

> >linear term cannot be zero or negative. The dominance of the linear term

> >occurs only very close to zero dose.

>     In general, any possible dose-response curve ican be valid and the

> Taylor series can always accommodate to it.

>

> ---

> Again I agree - it is about the slope in the limit. Of course the slope can

> have zero or negative values.

> It is good that this discussion is moving forward.

>

> Now what do we have?

>

> Mathematical theory but not a corresponding biological one in terms of

> mechanisms.

>

> My personal ideas only,

>

> Bjorn Cedervall   bcradsafers@hotmail.com

>

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