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Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:12:42 -0400
Reply-To: PSA Forum
Sender: PSA Forum
From: Don Schaffner
Subject: Re: Response to Ned Groth's comments
Comments: To: PSA Forum
In-Reply-To: <12C85BA29E14D71183420002A54245E533F838@cuexchange>
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> -----Original Message----- > From: PSA Forum [mailto:PSAFORUM@who.int] On Behalf Of Edward Groth > Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 9:32 AM >

> The US NAS has followed a procedure to explore both financial
> interests and strongly held views ... I have been through this process both as a staff
> member and as a committee member, and it is both relatively
> painless for the experts, and of great value.

I have also been through this process once as a panelist, and like Dr. Groth, I have found the process useful and fairly painless.

> I believe it is important for us as scientists to "open our
> club" to non-scientists. This is valuable for the climate of
> trust and communication it helps establish.

Again I agree. I can think of two recent US-example where I've had useful interactions with lawyers on matters of policy. As long as the lawyers have done their homework, and understand the issues, they can provide a fresh viewpoint. It can take a little longer to reach consensus, but in the end, it's worth it, because it's a stronger document.

As way of introduction, I'm a food microbiologist with modeling and risk assessment skills. I served as Chairman of the Joint FAO/WHO Workshop on the development of guidelines for risk characterization of microbiological hazards in food in 2003 and as Chairman of the Joint FAO/WHO Workshop on the development of guidelines for exposure assessment of microbiological hazards in food in 2001. I was recently a Member of the committee on the Review of the Use of Scientific Criteria and Performance Standards for Safe Food for the National Academy of Sciences (2001-2002).

Don Schaffner, Ph.D. Schaffner@aesop.rutgers.edu Food Risk Analysis Initiative FAX: (732) 932-6776 65 Dudley Rd - Rutgers University Voice: (732) 932-9611x214 New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520 http://foodsci.rutgers.edu