Question: Aluminum and Alzheimers Disease.
The relatives of a man recently diagnosed with Alzhcimers disease are suing a company that sells drinks in aluminum cans claiming damages. They say that the man consumed 1-2 of these drinks per day and the cans contained no warning that the aluminum from the can could be absorbed into the drink and cause Alzheimers disease. They call an expert witness who states "there are numerous studies in the medical literature showing an increased level of aluminum in the brains of patients with Alzheimers disease. These aluminum deposits arc in the precise area of the brain affected by the disease. There is a clear link between aluminum and this terrible disease." You are called as an expert witness for the drinks manufacturer.
(a) What would you say to the court?
(b) In what way is your testimony consistent with the ASA guidelines on ethics?
(c) How do the ASA guidelines on ethics apply to the testimony of the expert witness for the other side?