Re: Reply to Cohen

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

	Please be assured that there is nothing personal in my 
disagreements with Dan Strom. We have always been, and continue to be 
good friends.
	All of the criticisms he has given me of my work on testing the 
linear-no threshold theory have been general criticisms of ecological 
studies for determining causation. My work was not for determining 
causation, but rather for testing the linear-no threshold theory and 
these criticisms do not apply to that application. Other problems with 
ecological studies that do apply to testing the linear-no threshold 
theory have also been discussed in the literature, but my paper addresses 
each of them and shows that they do not apply to my study. At this point, 
it seems to me that objectors should be required to say what they object 
to that has not been covered in my paper.
	What Strom and other objectors seem to be saying is "we don't 
believe in ecological studies--period". That is clearly not a 
scientifically justifiable position--you must specify the goal of the 
study and give a reason that applies to that goal and to that specific 
study. I would call what these people are doing simply "name calling" 
which is a very childish behavior.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu