From: Adam Shostack <adam@lighthouse.homeport.org>
Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 06:37:38 +0800
To: alanh@infi.net (Alan Horowitz)
Subject: Re: Statistical analysis of anonymous databases
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SV4.3.91.960529160838.5354J-100000@larry.infi.net>
Message-ID: <199605301602.LAA13227@homeport.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text


The evidence about the dangers of smoking is largely based on huge
data sets where large amounts of information was gathered and sifted
through to eliminate other correlations, until only cigarettes were
left.

Adam


Alan Horowitz wrote:

| I would ask, is there any known medical gain that has resulted from 
| such a data-base correllation.
| 
| I do not accept a researcher's own statements as to the utility of the work 
| (S)he's done with someone's funding.  Seen too much of it at close 
| quarters...   Nor do I accept reeports in the lay press - these are 
| nothing more than re-gurgitated press releases from PR depts of institutions.
| 


-- 
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once."
					               -Hume