Council for Tobacco Research
Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare United States Senate Niety-Fourth Congress Second Session on S. 2902 - to Amend Title V of the Public Health Services Act to Establish A National Health Research and Development Advisory Commission, and for Other Purposes February 19, March 24, and May 27, 1976 [Hearings Regarding Most Recent Scientific Data on the Higher Rate of Death of Smokers Compared to Nonsmokers]
Abstract
MAR
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- Depository Date
- 25 Sep 1995
- Master ID
- Ctrmn00014501-5129
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- CTRMN014991-5129 Deposition of Sheldon C. Sommers [Deposition of Sommers in the Matter of Cipollone]
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THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
CONFIDfNTIAUTY AGREEMENT.
CIGARETTE SMOKING AND DISEASE, 1976
.
®
HEARINGS
I .. stiTOlE TsE
$UBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
OT TUE
COMMITTEE ON
LABOR AND' PUBLIC WELFARE
UNITED STATES SENATE
r'IrETI FOLTRTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
S. 2902
TO AMEXD TITLE V OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
ACT TO ESTABLISH A\ATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COJ1)lISSIO\, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
FEBRUARY 19. )SARCH 24. AND MAY 27. 1976
Printed for the use of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare
U.E. GOVEItNriENT TIINTtNG OTTICE
!0 Ot7 0 MAlHINGTON : 1074
C TR HN 014779

1HIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
288 CONFiDENTIAUTY AGREEMENT.
Senator Kt:xxEny. Our next panel is \!r. Horxcc Kornrg:ry. Prr'i-
dent. The Tobacco Institute. accompanied hv Dr. SlrtIdun ~ommor-
and Dr. Theodore D. Sterling. director of computing science l,rr,-
gram. Simon Fraser University of Canada.
There is a vote notv. I can probabl~ go over this this afterrroorr. I
want to give ~ou a chance and I will sta~- Kitlr ~-ou thitil tlre :i nrinutc
bell rings ana then come bnck at 2:1 5 or1:8(r. If ' vou hnve got ;r hard
hitting commcnt or statement you bettePmake it now becau.t. ~~~ith :rll
due respect to the press, the aftenroon hearings are not as Rell attended.
You can make whatever comment you want to make now ancl tht.rj
come back this afternoon. So if you would like to use the 5 or f
minutes to make whatever comment you would and we will have you
back at 2:15. " .
Mr. Koexr.rr.». I am not a scientist. \fr. Chairman, so I am goirl"
to ask Dr. Sommers if he .could go ahend with his statrrncnt tir-t.
STATEIiEFT OF SHELDOA C. SOMMERS, M.D., DIRECTOR. I.ABORA-
TORIES AT THE LEAO% HILL HOSPITAL, NEW YORK. AND PRO-
FESSOR OF PATHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND
t3UBdIANS, COLUISBIA IINLQJERSITY OF NEW YORH. ACCOMPA-
AIED BY HOB.ACE It. BOBAEt3eY, PRESIDENT, THE TOBACCO IN-
BTITUTE, WASHIRGTON, D.C., AND THEODORE D. STERLING.
Ph.D., DIEECTOR, CO1iPIITER SCIE!(CE PROGRAM, SIMON T'RASER
IINI?F.BSITY, CANADA
Dr. Soxist:xs. 111r. (`hairman and members of the committee. 1Jv
purlwse. in response to the imitation to present m~ personal view of
the status of knowledge of smoking and henlth-
Senator Kesxeni. You mnv summarize if yon wish and then-
Dr. Scat.-,tt:xx.0ivstatentent is a summam.
Senator KEx.eDY. OK.
Dr. Ccranrt:R~. 'Mv purJ~. in response to the invitntiorr to present
my 1>rrsonal view of the stntus of knowledge of smoking and health.
is to review the newer scientific data. This mnterinl is not included in
the quotntions from the 1)75 version of the L"SPH.q smnkina and
hen)th report cited br Senator Hnrt as justifying bill No. ~.
Cognizance of the present day knowledge by fnirnrtnded individual~
casts grave doubt on the existence of any such '°ocerwhelrning evi-
dence'as claimed by the distin~,nrislred Senator.
Fitst. in respect to the reported overall higher rate of death of
smokers than nonsmokers, the results were obtnined h* v stntistiral
eridemiologic methods now reco¢nized a5 erroneou5 nncl u<e of
is no longer regarded as justified. One to one comharisont of smokers
and nonsmokers inored many confonnding .nrrnbles. Vc Jtork:rm
predicteri the result proved to be a ctntistical artifact. This resulred
irom iRnoring thtee seriotts sourcec of error :
(1) Nonrandom comrarisnnc. menning thnt smokers nnd nnrr-
smokers are not random suhsets of the ponnlntion being tested. ~iuok-
ers chrince to smoke and others chn(Ae nnt to smoke. antl both vro,rh-
are self-selected. nnparentl' v by complex processes not hrescntlv trnder-
stood. The crucial error is the use of stnticticnl methods to tert nrn1-
random grours. designed for and applicnble only to comraring
CTR MN 014't`''80

Mr. }lorace Iiorneguy. presi-
d by lir. Sheldon C. ;otnmers
)r of computing science pro-
Ia.
go over this this aftcnroon. I
v with cou until the 5 minute
:2:3(t. If you have got a hard
make it umw becouse. with all
arings are not as.cell attended.
u want to make now and then
would like to use the 5 or 6
r would and we will have you
Mr. Chairman, so I atn going
head with his statement first.
S, N.D., DIRECTOR, LABORA-
(TAL, AEW YORg, AND PRO-
OE OF PHYSICIAlPS AND
' OF NEW YORH, ACCOMPA
tESIDEAT, THE TOBACCO IA
) THEODORE D. STERLING.
'E PROGRAM, SIMON FRbSER
~mbcrs of the committee. Nkc: '
~ present m% personal view of
~ea)tlt-
ite if~,%nu wish utd then---
ry.
~
,ze to the invitation to present
ledr,e of smokinfi and health.
ris mnterinl is not included in -P
if the l-SP}1~ smokingy ancl -
s justifying lril) \o. S. 2902
ge by fairminded indicidunlx
1 rny such "o~er~~~helminF e~i- _
nator.
?rall higher rate of death of
were obtained bc -statisticnl "
is erroneous nnd u-e of ahich
n nne compariconc of smokers
ndin- vnrrnhle-. As 14erksnn
tistical artifact. This resulted
or :
ing thnt smokers and nnn-
otcnlation being tested. Snrnk-
nt to smnke, and lxtth grnup,~
rrnce&ses not rrescntly iurcleri ntisticnl methods to te.ct nnn
rplicnble only to comparing
THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
269 CONFIDENTIAUTY AGREEMENT.
random groups. Rolliug the loadcc) dicc statistirnlly );ice. att inc,lid
ansaer.
(2) lkJxndeucc on limited statistical tests for proof. 11'Lcrr lto-c
and Bell wrote their moatogral,h on rrrdicting lnrrt,.evit., ther resrccl
factors that might be as.,~ociated with earlyrefu)1y death among a grou J~ of
Boston lt'orld 11'ar rI veterans, followed cafu)1y for 3U yeart. A one-
to-one comparison of cigarette smoker*tand nonsmokers gave sn,oking
thc ntunler one plucx as u predictor. like in nrnn} other stodie-. lloc% -
ever, when multiple factors vrem included statistically cigarette
smoking dropped to somewhere beyond thc 3uth mou si~rulr,:rrlr
predictor of early death. I)issatisfactinu with jnh l,,ecanu th~ nunrLrr
one predictor. 1
(3) Secularitt. meaniitg the change in habit l,ntterus of thc pnl.u
lation from aboitt I:+lu to 1960, xawith increatied J,roPortrnt,; of
ette smnker` in each decad(: A model population (not a tcal Ju)l,ul:i-
tion) with strch chnuges nver equal tiuic .cill show n stntt=tte:rllx
signiticant incrvase ill total denth rate as a minoritv ch:nrp= tmN:,nl
a majuritv. This secu)nrity fnctor or S1Lnngc ill Jrolrulntiou patrrrtl
has rnn health imrlication. For example. ill the original Stn-v(-u
Generul's report a tahle showed pipe smnkers to hnve n lo«er cl(-atlj
rate than notrsmokem. 11'hi)c encouraginfi H belief that IrIIH. =tt,u~c r=
nere the sturdiest humans, a be.ttcr explanation i~ou)d be thc secularity
effect. There were fewer pipe smokers ill each decade. the converse of
cigarette smokers.
These data are published and available for all to read.l\-hn- ]t:rve tLc
proposers of the bill not heard of them ? It is becnusc tlic antnt:tl
supplements to the Sur eon General's report on smoking and hcaltl~
are limited reviews anrinterJtretations of the medical and icientific
literature, from which are screened out articles that do not agree with.
call into question. or destror arguments and conclusions supporriVe
of the official Government position.
As an examJrle, in a presentation prepared for hearing, on n 1~r~~-
pos:rl h~ Senntor ~tos.c of I'tah to limit by law the amnunt!z of ni-tinr
and cnndencate, sn called tar. in cignrettes. I Jxiinted ont ill thar
approximately 1.i91 articles published since 1960 vcere not cited.
Lists of these ;vere supJrliecl.
On ncrasiou. publications not suhlrortin; the official positinti
)reeu suPJrres=ed. The epidemiolofirc proLlemse slrortcnminre nnd errur=
were aired at a panel meeting at the AAAS in 1971. so the abnve is
not secret informntion. One regrets that the prohnsers of the I-ill 1,:'A- f
not been made aware of the serions defects. obsolescence. hins nncl
incompleteness of the information on which the.% appear to b:rsc the
current proposed bill.
Xm%.. au to ]rurg cancer. there is a statistical ns-ncintimr l~of~~~ru
ci~,*uette smokinr nnd Jtnte cancer. But at present thr nnturc of tllc
assoointion or whether it is causal are not known. The test of tLc
orioinal Surgeon General's report deals with the difliculties of :rs' 4zi_n-
ing cancnlit.%. hut the summnry and cnnclu-4nns brush the-c
nnd assigrt a causnlit\ not demonstrablIV evident in the text. It i~
widcJv known that n statistical as.cncintinn i~ not hN itklf t1tnnf of
catrsntinn. A atatistical assnciatinm mn r troint to exJxvinunts thnt ~~ ill
helptodetermine Rhethertherr ixcnuce involved.
Animal esperiments to my knowled1±e have not succeedecl in thc
rrvxlnctinn nf so-called human type lnng cancers in n significnnt lret-
tentnge of an.N sPecies tested.
.
CTR M~~ 014~f='6-1-

THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
' 270 WNFIDENTIAUTY AGREEMENT,
Senator KttcN-zDy. Doctor, I am going to have to go. I only have 4
u
'
m
tutes to gret over there. "
e will recess to
rrcaxoox Basto.
~.
Senator IaNxcaY. We Rill come to order.
Dr. Sommers, would you continue ?
Dr. Soxxcas. In the interest of saving time, before the lunch break.
I did not identify myself.
I am Sheldoti C. Sommers. i11.D., director of laboratories. Lenox
Hill Hospital, New York; clinical professor of Pathology, Columbia
Ltniversitv Collef,~e of Physicians and Snriteons, New York, and l ni-
versit}- of Sonthern California, Los AnFeles; editor of the Pntholou~
Annual and Pathology Decennial Series; chairman of the Scientifi,Adt'ison $oard, Cbuncil for
Tobacco Research. t'.S.A.. Inc.; with
about 260pub1ications.
Mr curriculum vitae and publication list are available.
I irould like to briefly recnpitulnte the points made already. if vou
would like. \1r. Chairman.
Diy purJwse, in respnnsc to the invitation to present m~ personal
~-ien of the status of ktiowledge of smoking and health, is to review
the newer scientific data. This material is not included in the quota-
tions from the 1975 version of the t'SPHS smoking and health report
cited bv Senator Hart as justifying bill S. 29o-3.
First, in respect to the reported overall higher death rates of smok-
ers than nonsmokers. thc results were obtained by statistical epide-
miologic methods now recognized as errnneottc and use of which is no
longer regarded as justified.
Nonrandom comllarisons. meaning that smokers nnd nonsmokers
are not random subsets of the population being tested.
Kumber two, dependence ott limited statistical tests for proof.
When Rose nnd Bell wrote their monograph on predictinc longe.it.N.
thev tested factors that might hc associated with early death among
. ~
a9 roup 01 noslon ii ol7u ii ar J) vrlrrana. Ju1Fui.ru cri1.-iui~1 ~~.j
yen rs '11.
A one-to-onc comparison of cigarette smokers and nnnmloker-
gnve smnking the numlwr one place nc n predictor. like in mnn.- nther ~
studies. Hmcever, when multiple factor:~ were inclnded ~tnti:ticnll~, ~
ciLmrette smoking droptled to somewhere beyond the 30th most sia-
nifirnnt nredictor of early death.
Third, secularity. mennine the changm in habit patterns of thr hopn-
lntinn from abont*1Q1(1 to 1AR(l..rith increased proportions of cigarette t
A model ronnlntion. not a real pnpltlntlon. 1
smoker, in each decadc
.
~x with such clranres~ over e(lllal time will show a statlstlC11l\ stg~tltfic8nt ~
increase in totnl denth rate nc n minority changes toward a maioritN.
i
Thic cec»larity factor or change in population patterns has no health
implicntinn '.
For example. in tlle original Surgeon General's report a tllilc
nnn~m~lc~ r, ~
sllnaed pipe smokers to have a lower death rate. t1.R. than
1Chilc encouraging a lx~lief that pitle t;mnkers were tho stnr~lie~t
humnns, n better explanation ~rould hc the crcularit} effcct. t
tiow, ac tp limw canrcr. there is a statistical association hotccecil
;
cigarette smnkin_ and lnng cancer. Rnt at the present the nnture of
the aFsociatinn. or whether it is causal are not 1cnoRn. !
CTR t I t''! 0147822

tastoN
rder.
ng time, before the lunch break,
lirector of laboratories. Lenox
)feasor of Pathology, Columbia
Surgeons. New York. and l-ni-
nFeles; editor of the Pathology
ies; chairmnn of the Scientific
i Research. U.S.A.. Inc.; with
list are available.
he points made already, if you
itation to present my personal
ioking and health. is to review
al is not included in the quota-
'HS smoking and health report
I S. 2902.
all higher death r><tes of amok-
e obtained by atatistical epide-
rroneous and use of which-is no _
-
that smo)torrs and nonsmokers
m beit(R tested.
ted statistical tests for proof.
),,rahh on Dredictin¢ longe~it%. ~
)ciated with e,arly death among
?rans. followed carefully for 3()
~ctte smokers and nonFmokers
a predictor. like in many other
'; om were included statisticallv.
here beyond the 3nth most sig-
ze in habit patterns of the pr,Pti&- ,_
I creased proportions of eiftarette .
nulat ion. not aIraJ populotion.
II shoR a statistsealh- aiRnificnnt -
rity chnnges toRarcl a maiorit}.
>pulation patterns has no health
-F
raenn General's report a table
leath rate. ri.F. thnn nnn1mnkerce po smokers were the sturdiest
M the secularity eftert.
. statistical association between
tut at the present the nature of
.1 are not known.
THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
271 CUNFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENL
The te%t of the original Surgeon Ge.neral's report deals .citL tl,L
ditfiirultieb of "iFning cnusality, but the summtn. and ~-onclji-ioi:-
brush thi-x aside.and assign a causality not detuoitstrably e%idttjt itt
the text.
One wonders about the Surgeon Peneral's report. because it turns
out to be a limited review. Articles are screened out that do not =up-
1K,rt the ofticial (io%irnment position:
Senutor Iit:xx>an-. That ts a very serious charge, Doctor. as .ou
well knme.
1\'hat You are accuFing is the Surgeon (ireneral. and Dr. Cooper and
others; ~ou are accusine them of 1,ing, and fraud, and dereivtng the
public. That ie tlte way 1 read tltat language.
1>r. Suat~tr.rtc \ o. str. .
Senator Kr.XXEDY. Well...hat do you call the selective chnire±
I)r. SWN tateac. Sir?
Senator Ia:xxsm. That do not agree with.
Dr. SuxateRC. Sir. if you read the entire scientific literature-
Senator }ir.xxr.nr. I am not a scientist. I am talkiuF about .our ac-
cusntion herr. and that Ynu tnight have a different interl>retntimt of
the English 1anFuagr, but I would interpret whnt ~ou ~cere stating
here about the selective use of fact and fiQure~ that onl~ agree ~~ itl~
and support a Position. as accusing them of misleading. misrepre;ertt-
ing, and committing a fraud in terms of their responsibility.
Dt. No.sir.that 15not true.
Tlttit resl>nnsibility is to inform the public. as I nnderstnwl it. of
the danpers of cigarettes with respect to health.
MY interest is in disease, and the causes. and pathogenesis of di=ensc.
\1 P evidently read ditfirrent literature.
Senntor Kt:~xr.r~r. Well. is that not what you are saving here :
I>r. S~nr>teKS. Sir. if I ma% coutimte------
Senator Kt:xxenY. That 'is. there is no question about -har tL(snbstunce of the rerrescntntion
that they are makinF, and tLat ir ti:t
caus-e and re)ntimiship between cigarette smoking and cancer. heart
disea,;P. and other lung diseasec.
\mw. that hac 64,11 nrnde by the Surgeon (;;enernl. ltr. Ran-rher of
the National ('ancer Institute. the two outstanding \olK-l Prize win
nets,and the ChC.
.Now, if the substance and thrust of your testimony is to dot I'~.
and cross T's. talk about different aspects and sn. thnt tlurc can hP
differing internretationst that is one thing. If .ou nre trying. h% vmtr
testimnnr, to impeach the overwhelming substnnce nf 'their 'conclu-
sion, that is something else.
'.N oIN. -.vhich is it ?
Are vott challengin- their ba~ic and funclamental conclusionz. atld
that is ahOllt the cause ancl relationship between smoking nnrl cancer f
That is whnt vnn nrr nttncking.
Dr. Smtar:ac. \fV personnl belief. sir. is that the cnu:ative relatinn-
ship of cignrette smnkin~ to lung cancer is not proved.
Senator I~rxxr.m. \ot prctaf,tn what? To an all-olutc intinirr
certnintv
I mean. dnes am-thinz get proven, an~ more than this partlClllat'
fnctrn. in termr of inedical conclu5ion?
Dr. Suav%ter.s. Sir, the data available do not support the conclttrionz.
CTR f~t~`~ 0~.4'~%634

THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
272 DONFIDENTIAUTY AGREEMENL
Senator KtrvwT. Well, how are we supposed to understand all
thisT The best scientists that are available, in terms of responsibilities
to the public, all agree.
What do you know that the Nobel Aize winners do not know?
Dr. Soxxrats. Sir-
Senator KexirrmY. Or what information do vou have that the 1)e-
partment of Health does not htve, or the CDC has not got, or the
Surgeon General has not.Fot t
Dr. SoxxEtes. Sir, I cannot answer that question, because I do not
know what information these different individuals have.
All I can.F,ay to you is, sir, that I have been in cancer research for
40 vears.
kenator Kexxr.nr. I do not know Rh~- you make a statement ~~ou do
not know. The~ are all published reports.
Dr. Sox~ctats. From their pttblished rQports, sir, I conclude that the
data are insufficient to support the conclusions, that is. for examplc.
cigarette smoking is the major cause or a mnjor cause of lung cancei
Senator Iizxrr~r. Do vou think it has any relationship?
Dr. Soxxetta. I think it has an association. sir. It is in my statement.
if I mav continue.
Senitor Ktt. xmr. To what e=tent 4
Dr. SOYYLRS. If I may continue, it will be in my statement.
In respect to the 1972 hearing by Senator Aioss of t'tah. it Rac
pointed out that approzimatel~ 1,7 90 articles published since 196v Rert
not cited. Lists of these were supplied.
We will be glad to update that list to this vear.
Tow. as to lung c,ancer, there. is a statistical association between
cigarette smoking and lung cancer. But at present the nature of asso-
ciatton, or whether it is cattsal are not known.
The text of the original Surgeon General's report deals with the
difficulties of assigning causality, but the summary and conclusions
brush these aside. and migm a causality not demonstrablv evideni in
the text. It is RidelvknoRn that a statistical association is not by itself
proof of causation. A statistical association may point to experiments
that will help to determine whether there is cause involved.
Animal ezperiments, to my knowledge. have not succeeded in the
production-
Senator Kt:rxsny. Before we leave, is that all vou are going to say
about the associat ions of cigarette smoking and cancer?
Dr. Soxxsxs. \o. sir, I am Froingto it right now.
This includes inbred mice exix)sed to heavy cigarette smoke inlial;i-
tion over practically their entire lifespatt. t'erlaun false alarms like
the Auerbach beagle do and other studies of rats and mice. hi%e
stirred hope t.hat a model been achieved, but no cancers that grew.
spread. and led to death like human squamous cell lung carcinomas
have been reported in animals.
After 45 vears of inhalation research. and although expensive efforts
continue, no succeas has been achieved in proclucinF experimental lung
cancers in any reasonable, or even small numbers of experimental
animals.
Skin painting is cited in the bill proposal as part of the evidence of
carcinopenicity of tobacco smoke condensates. Suffice to snv that in the
past 5years, skin painting of animals with tobacco condensate ha~
L,, TR ! t t"t 014784

we swposed to understand all
able, in terms of responsibilities
Prize winners do not katovr?
stion do you have that the De-
r the CDC has not got, or the
that question. because I do not
t individuals'Aave.
a.e been in cancer research for
tv vou make a statement you do
s.
reporur sir, I conclude that the
nclusions, that is. for example,
r a mnjor cause of lung cancet
is any relationshipt
ation. sir. It is in my statement.
3*
.
cill be in my statement.
Senator rfoss of L'tah. it Qas
ticles published sinoe 1960 were
:his vear.
statistical antociation bet.reen
t at present the nature of asso-
toRn./
:eneral's report deals with the
the summar% and conclusions
:v not demonstrably evident in
:iical association is not bv itself
ition may point to ezperiments
I ere is cause involved.
ige, have not succeeded in the"
, -.
is that all you are going to say
;ng and cancer t
right now.
heat~ cigarette smoke inhila-
pan. t'ertatn false ilarms like
itudies of rats and mice. have
eved, but no cnncers that grew,
-quamous cell lung carcinomas
and althouFli expensive e8orts
n producing experimental lung
,)all numbers of experimental
~
osal as part of the evidence of
tsates. Suffice to say that in the
with tobacco condensate has
THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
273 CONFIDENT1ALlTY AGREEMENT.
vielded so few tumors, either benign or maliFnunt. that tlj( practwo
haspractit`ally been gi.en up. Only a feu govertuneiutal agency exl,rrn
mentsconttnue.
Why tumors were produced years ago following skin pairninF but
are now rarely produced is unknown. An English book review of a
work on tobacco and carcinogenesislit ated that if in the the
author had not reported 44 percent skili tumors when other laborat oritz~
were finding 3 to 5 percent, this field of research might have develol)cd
in a more orderly way.
On what basis is the claimm}de of 90,(K)O lung cancer cases her year?
It is based on death certificates, which are not sctentific docnmvrntsi and
in general are not corrected by finding~ if an autopsy is lrorforn1eci.
Senator ht:xxcnr. lt'ltat lxrcent do you think ?
Dr. SoiturJes. Sir, I come t.o that-I think the-
Senator Kax.rEnY. If you can answer my qnestions. becanso Rt, are
discussing this point now.
You keep saying we are coming to it. and then we are tx-.yond tlw
fact. ,
Dr. Souattxs. I believe the excess factor at least is two-fold in-
vohed-
Senator K>Exxarn. Ilb you think there are 45,0(x) lung cancer
casesl
Dr. So3ixexs. I doubt it, sir.
Senator fitNxtnr. You said twofold factor.
Dr. SouKt:xs. At least twofold.
Senator hExxtyn . R'el l, is it 30,060?
Dr. Somxcas. Sir, there is no way of determining it.
Senator KEx.rDr. Do you thinti it is more than 10,000?
Dr. Soatiitexs. I ima ine.
Senator }aft is more than ]0.ON. If it is more thnn
then why does not this approach make sense, that we are talkin,"
about here?
Dr. SouatcRt. The approach totax-
Senator Yes.:~fore than ](t.0(1(i people.
WhY does this not make sense, then ?
Dr. SOatMERS. Sir. because there is no animal, or other ex1Nrimentll
proof. that cigarette oondensate, which you call tar, is a producer of
cancer.
Senator ICtx\-iny. n'el1, I thought you just said that it was.
Dr. So7N11Enl+. No, sir. There has beeti no success in animal experi-
ments to produce lunF cancerc like those in Lnman beings.
Senator I:Exxtnl. Well, I have diflicultv following your lino of
reasoning there. You are prepared to say there is a given percentngc of
cancer because of tobacco, and you are prepared to say it is at least
taofold, and then when we give you one-ninth of that, and then y-on
move off that fil;ure.
Dr. Soxxtnr;. Well, sir, if I may explain, the 10,000. or wltateVcr
number of lung cancer cases, like manr other types of cancer. are in
my opinion, of unknown cause. You htire accepied cigarette smoking
a5 a cause.
The evidence, in m} opinion, does not support that.
Senator I1EocF.m-. Do you think it is a cause? One of the cause=?
Dr. Soxxr.ee. I'think it might be a cause, but I do not think it has
ever been proved.
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1'HIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
274 pUNFlDENTIAUTY AGREEMENL
Senator Kexxcnr. Do you, or do you not think that it is a cau.'e?
Dr. Soitstr.ac. I have ezpressed myself clearly, sir, that I do not be-
1ievc that it has becn proved a cause.
Senator htx. soy. Go ahead.
Dr. SoxxERs. ll'hen anilysis has been undertaken of:the accuracv
of a death certificate dialmnsis of lung cancer. when compared with
autopsy findings, slightl~'less than 50 psment were found to be
accurate.
Pneumonia and tumors spreading to the hings from other parts of
the body, so-called metastases, are most often mistaken for lung can-
cer. ReFrettably. we lack a sound data base bV which to establish the
true incidence of lung cancar. The figures appear exaggerated tRofold
at least.
Lung cancer is not an entity either pathologically or etiologically.
There are some 10 dif(erent varieties of lung cancer, each of which is
likelv a different disease with a different causation.
One type called oat-cell carcinoma recently was reported in nproup
of chemical workers, most of whom were nonsmokers, and it appeared
that smokers in the same plant were in some a-ay protected. Time.
scholatship, and money are needed to work out these dtfficttlt problems.
Chronic pulmonarv disease, also'called bronchitis-emph~sema. or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious public liealth prob-
1em. R'hen a disease has several names, it is an indication that not verY
much is known about it.
Emphysema of the lungs is difficult to diagnose clinically. Also
' patholoiically it is difficult to establish its presence. type and extent.
''even when a panel of ezpertse:amines whole lung sections. These large
sections are only available in a few research centers. Experts examining
such sections. it was reported, could reach no agreement on whether.
how much and what type of emphysema was present. '
Senator HART. Doctor, excuse me just a second.
The first page of your statement, you talk about the Berkson stud..
Dr. Soxur.xs. Yes,sir.
Senator HART. Xow. what Ras the date of that Y
Dr. Soxst-Exs. It is given in the references on the last page.
Senator HAxr.1A55?
Dr. Soxxtas.1935.
Senator HART. It seems to me that much of orhat vou talk about.
thereafter, is based upon that study, is that correct T'
Dr. SoxartRS. No. nothing thereafter is based on that stud* v.
Senator HART. Page 2, paragraph 3, refers to data collected from
1919 to 1960.
You talk about the Berkt;on predictions. and so on.
I just wonder how valid that would be 20 years ago?
Dr. Soxmenc. Some 1er~ wise things were said about smoking and
health 20 years ago. Berkson simply predicted that when the fnct=
were out, or the science was impro~ed, the relationship would be a
ver} spurious artifact.
v I simply state that I feel he has been supported.
Senator H.+nr. Thank you very much.
Senator KE%.rrny. Have you done any research in this area }'ourself
recentlv i
Dr. Soxxms.'Yes. sir, the day before yeeterday.
C~°R HN 01 ~~~~'86

>u not+think that it is a cause?
lf clearly, sir, that I do not be-
en undertaken of the accuracv
g cancer, when compared with
50 percent were found to be
- the lungs from other parts of
t often mistaken for lung can-
base by which to establish~
~es appear exaggerated tRo
pathologically or etiologtcally.
f lung cancer, each of which is
causation.
cently was reported in a group
re nonsrookers, and it appeared
in some Rav protected. Time,
o,rk out these dtfficult problemsd lled bronchitis-emphrsema, or
is a serious public heilth prob-
it is an indication that not veaW-
t to diagnose clinically. Also
its presence, type ande:tent.
hole lung sections. These large
rch ceAters. Experts examining
ach no agreement on whether,
was present.
a second.
.
alk about the Berkson studA
ofthatf
ces on the last page.
nuch of whnt you talk about,
:hat correct P
is based on that study.
refers to data collected from
s. and so on.
20 years ago?
were said about smoking and
-redicted that when the facts
the relationship would be a
pported.
research in this area yourself
est erd a y.
THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
275 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.
Senator KExrmr. Could you submit the reports? Could Nou file thF
reports? '
Dr. SouuEes. They Tsre also published in the medical literature.
Senator KENrEOr. When is the last one, and what medical literx-
ture?
Dr. SoxxERs. The laBt one that dealt*rith lung cancer specifically %
-
Senator KEN
xEDr. Yes, all right.
Dr. SoxxERs: The last one? '
Senator KEN-xmr. That is right.
Dr. Soxxcxs. In the nei ghborhood of 1958, I believe.
Senator KsNxEDr.19581
Dr. SokxExs. I believe. -
Senator KEXxEDr. R'hy have you not published in that area since
then?
Dr. SoxatEns. Sii, I have not had the material available.
Senator KExxEDY.What doyou mean by that ?
Dr. SoxxExs. I am a patholoRist, «orkinR with human autopsy. and
surgical specimens, and the hospital Rhere I have worked since that
time did not have enou- gli cases on which to base a good sttidv.
Senator FiE~N-Eay. What is the basis of vow testunom here todov?
Dr. Sostxrau:. 11fy continuing interest, and study in tlie field, and a
par on.rhich I am now working.
Enator KE. xfnr. On .rhat. on the lung ?
Dr. Sox a Exs. On t h e l unF, si r.
Senator KEN-xEDr. R'hen will it be published ?
Dr. SoxxEn.c. Sir, I anticipate within a year.
Senator KEx.Ear. But you have done no original research that has
been the basis of publication in 18 years f
Dr. SoxxExs. It ma~ betrue,sir.
Senator KE\\EDr. And you are the best fellow that the industry
could come up with?
Dr. Soxxcrtc. Sir. knowledge in the held involves reading as well as
research, and I am actively interested in the field.
As one gets older, sir, one leaves research somewhat to younger
people.
Senator HAxT. OrN`obel prize Rinners?
Senator KENxenr. I do not know how old they are.
Dr. So~txExs. If I could respond to that.
Thou- gentlemen were virologists. and so far as I know, they never
worked on lung cancer, and the last Nobel prize given for lung cancer
Ras to Fibi>'er for producing it in rats with worms-it is one of the
blots on the \ obel prize historv-
fienntor Kr.vxenr. Well, I*am sure thev will be intereiited in Your
medical evaluation of their scientific contribution.
Dr. Sna>tsRC. I know thev are xonderfol virologists.
Senator KENxmT.Of eourse, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathol-
og, which is probably the outstanding center of the world. qitite
frankly, completely agrees and supports the Surgeon t;eneral's posi-
tion. and does not support yourc.
So I think when Re are talkinR about biolog,. and pathology, that
that ought to be noted forthe record as well.
Senator HAx~r. Could I ask for a reference on a previous page. pAae i.
of your prepared statement, where you discussed the analysis of the
eccuracy of death certificatest
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THIS DOCUMENT SUBJECT TO
276 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.
Dr. Soxxnts. Yes, that is given-those are references number 1!
and 11, and they are cited more recently in other publications.
SenatorKirx.venr.ll'e hope you send us a copy of your paper.
Dr. SoxxLu. I will b46lad to sir.
Senator IizN xtDr. Why do we not continue ?
Dr. Soxmr.xs. May I coatinue?
SenatorKz.xmr.Please. ~
Dr. Soxxrsts. In the current limited state of knowledge, blaming
cigarettes as a cause is premature. Note that emphysema is largel~ :,
disease of white men. Black men exposed to the same encironment, ii.-
cluding cigarette smokinB, scarcely ever develop emphysema. Women
likewise are uncommonly affected. A claim that the cause of emphysenia
is known, if ancthing. tends to inhibit resea rch.
Coronary heart disease is considered the most common cause of deat!,
in the L;ntted StatEs, a8ecting particularly males, the overweight, the
diabetic, and individuals %cith certain inherited lipid diseases. T1.,
Framingham data originally publicized do not withstand critica?
evaluation.
Studies of twins discordant for smokinQ hace indicated that thr
strongest factor is evidently Renetic or constitutional. A certain l,er-
sonaltt} type has been discovered with a striving, time and pressurr
life style, evidently particularly predisposed to coronary diseases. To-
day actice researchers look elsewhere than cigarettes for the causes of
coronarc heart disease.
A decision to tax cigarettes in proportion to nicotine and'tar" would
be based on doubtful, specious or mistaken infortttation. The original
Surgeon General's report. for example, stated that nicotine is probablY
not a significant health hazard.
No new persuasive studies contradict this generally held opinion.
Etiologic conclusions based upon cigarette condensate (so-callyd
tar) suffer from the demonstration that fresh condensate free of arti-
facts of storage has cirtually no tumor producing quality.
In summary, I wish for better health for Americans. and halr
worked hard in the field for 35 cears. In my considered opinion. the
bill proposed is scientifically unjustified. and if passed. would Fener-
ate such huge sttms of mone} as would be likely to co-opt and to corrupt
most of our medical and scientific research efTort.
Thank vou.
Senotor Kexrenr. Corrupt and co-opt - and corrupt our medical
scientists.
Well, T think ecer} scientific researcher would be interested in that
statement, as well. Let me ask vou,what scientific stud,v, what publications in the la;t
five years. support your position?
Dr. Soxucxs. There are a large number of tliem. sir and I would
refer vou to the work of Dr. Philip Burch of England. In EnRlancl
there is a somewhat more open medical nress and sense of fair plav. and
his controrersy with Sir Richard Doll which is going on. includin.-
19TS. I think you will find very interesting.
Senator KixxcnY. Dr. Birch, and what is his - what is the thnist
ofhisworkf
Dr. CoxxExs. I will give you the references.
Professor -
CT R H U--if 0 1 4 77 6 6
