Tobacco Documents Online

334 335 - 2 - : i II~~ l f •' I . ,~ ~ ~i f fi i n oe 1 HCOKER S .. Cl~:7?S ~R l-R ia ER f , , . . . . . ~ ... ilrl e_ : .c_s . . . . . . Sr,c_:-,.'rrce r~-- - s:C_• , N 'J _ 'C S^7:6 E -- _,. . c ,]021 1~l.6!VO STATEMENT OF WALTER M. BOOKER, PH.D. My name is Walter M. Booker. I am President of Walter M. Booker and Associates, Inc., an incorporated biomedical group in Washington, D.C. I am also Professor Emeritus of Pharmaco- logy at Howard University where I was Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology for 20 years. My post graduate professional training consists of a Master's Degree in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Chicago. I also spent a postgraduate year as a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Belgium and Sweden, studying with two Nobel Laureates. I hold membership in numerous scientific societies including the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the American Physiology Society, the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, and the American College of Cardiology of which I am a Fellow. The views I am expressing in tt upon my training and experience as z fields of pharmacology and physioloc endeavors included studies on the ef of nicotine on the heart and the aut system. My main concern with the Bills and S 1929, is that they propose cor findings that have not been clearly to note that both Bills make such s: smoking is the number one cause of . heart disease deaths *are attributa: opinions are undoubtedly based on s is by no means unanimity in the sci smoking can be incontrovertibly lab Despite what those in the legi the cause or causes of cancer of tF unknown. Both smokers and nonsmoke diseases often associated with cige don't know why.

335 - 2 - The views I am expressing in this statement area based upon my training and experience as a scientific researcher in the fields of pharmacology and physiology. In these areas my research endeavors included studies on the effects and mechanisms of action of nicotine on the heart and the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system. My main concern with the Bills under consideration, HR 4957 and S 1929, is that they propose congressional action based on findings that have not been clearly established. It is important to note that both Bills make such summary statements as: "Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer" and one-third of heart disease deaths "are attributable to smoking." While such opinions are undoubtedly based on some published information, there is by no means unanimity in the scientific community that cigarette smoking can be incontrovertibly labeled as causal. Despite what those in the legislative arena might believe, the cause or causes of cancer of the lung (and other organs) remain unknown. Both smokers and nonsmokers contract cancer and other diseases often associated with cigarette smoking, and we still don't know why.

336 - 3 - The most accurate and appropriate statement that can be made is that cigarette smoking has been identified as one of the many risks or associated factors that may cause or aggravate cert- tain commonly occurring diseases. We are still not able to say whether all relevant risk factors and associations have been iden- tified and consequently, it is practically impossible to control for their effects in experimental studies. While attempts have been made to evaluate certain factors individually, research has not reached the point of being able to say a particular factor is causative.. The scientific fact of the matter is that no one knows why someone like an industrial worker develops cancer of the lung. Is it because he or she is a smoker or because he or she is an industrial worker? Should cigarette smoking be used as a•scape- goat" or should meaningful efforts be made to afford protection to the industrial worker? Having devoted a large part of my research career to functional underlying processes that might contribute to certain diseases of the heart, I am particularly concerned with those parts of the Bills that seem to ask Congress to decide what specifically causes coronary artery disease. In all sincerity, I raise the question: If smoking has been scientifically shown to be a cause of heart disease, what 337 - 4 - are the established mechanisms? As a believe that such mechanistic data are on causation are possible. Diet, whether deficiencies or exc• emotional stress, genetic factors,autc where cancer is concerned) must each bc possible cause of disease; but not one ficient responsibility to justify cong: contained in the Bills being discussed In summary, I strongly disagree wi because they misrepresent the present e The Bills are asking Congress to give t dict on the causes of complex diseases is either conflicting or has yet to"be A'. C VI M~ W ~~ V 1 .-•% . ~

337 - 4 - are the established mechanisms? As a research scientist, I believe that such mechanistic data are necessary before conclusions on causation are possible. Diet, whether deficiencies or excesses, lack of exercise, emotional stress, genetic factors, auto-immune factors (particularly where cancer is concerned) must each bear its responsibility as a possible cause of disease; but not one of these can be given suf- ficient responsibility to justify congressional action of the type contained in the Bills being discussed here today. In summary, I strongly disagree with the proposed Bills because they misrepresent the present state of scientific knowledge. The Bills are asking Congress to give the Nation a scientific ver- dict on the causes of complex diseases when much of the evidence - -• is either conflicting or has yet to be presented. -