Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Papers

Dietary fat intake and prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review

BMJ 2001; 322 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7289.757 (Published 31 March 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;322:757

Rapid Response:

Painted pill

Put it like this: The pills are labeled thusly, "This pill will
produce DEATH in exactly 5 years and 5 minutes". Then the pill label is
removed and each of a population swallows a pill and goes merrily on his
way. The population is monitored each week for a long while,--over a two
year period, say, or three years, or four. All is well! Alas, not one has
expired. The pills are harmless! Tobacco, asbestos, liberal laws and
courts, etc. The problem is one of degradation, and only when the
critical zone is reached do the visible results begin to appear. 5 yr, 6
min.? Health is in shades of gray, and symtoms often lag---
Just a Consumer

Competing interests: No competing interests

01 April 2001
J A Consumer
NASA