Re: Leukemia

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

> But, to say radiation was DEFINITELY not not the causative factor 
> is unscientific and overly defensive. 

Statistically speaking, one can never say that there is 100% 
chance of anything, either positive or negative. I don't believe that 
anyone has used the term "definitely". I believe that the common 
hypothesis is, that it is extremely unlikely that cosimc radiation is 
the causative agent. While there isn't a large population to study, 
there have been a lot of astronauts worldwide. Just looking at the 
USA astronauts, I would not expect to see any large number of 
cases. If there were, then it should be studied. The evidence 
suggest otherwise. 

I don't believe that Radsafers are being unscientific. I believe that 
by questioning the data, we are being very scientific. There is 
nothing defensive about supporting existing data. To not do this 
would be as you suggest, unscientific.



------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
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Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
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sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
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"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -

The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of the author, and NOT my employer