How to eradicate fraudulent statistical methods: statisticians must do science.
The two steps necessary for the clinical expression of a mutagenic disease, genetic damage and viability, are countervailing forces and therefore the dosage response curve for mutagens must have a maximum. To illustrate that science is common sense reduced to calculation, a new mathematical derivation of this result and supporting data are given. This example also shows that the term "context-free" is a snare and a delusion. When statistical methods are used in a scientific context where their assumptions are known to fail and where there is a reasonable presumption of intent to deceive, they are fraudulent. Estimation of low-level mutagenic risks by linear extrapolation from high-dose data is one example of such a method that is widely used by Executive Branch agencies. Other examples are given of fraudulent statistical methods that are currently used in biomedical research done by or for U.S. government agencies. In the long run, it is argued, the surest way to eradicate such fraud is for biostatisticians to do their own science.
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Biomedical Metatechnology Inc., Eggertsville, New York 14226.
D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000401:mortality; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D012107:Research Design; D012586:Science / Q000592:standards*; D015871:Scientific Misconduct; D014481:United States