by Playfuls Staff |
11th December 2006
A renowned British scientist was a long-time consultant for a chemical company while he was investigating cancer risks [more] associated with in the industry.
Richard Doll, the epidemiologist who linked smoking to lung cancer, allegedly received a $1,500 daily consultant's fee from Monsanto Corp. during the 1980s, the Guardian said Friday.
While on Monsanto's payroll, Doll wrote to an Australian commission investigating potential cancer-causing properties of Agent Orange -- made by Monsanto during the Vietnam War -- saying there was no evidence that the chemical caused cancer.
Doll, who died last year, also received fees from the Chemical Manufacturers Association, Dow Chemicals and ICI for a review clearing vinyl chloride of any cancer links except for liver cancer, the Guardian claimed.
Several scientists who worked with Doll said the allegations came from people who wanted to discredit Doll. One scientist said Doll was honest about his links to the chemical industry and donated his fees to Green College at Oxford, the newspaper said.
© 2006 UPI
