Counterpoint: Streamlined does not mean simple

摘要

We agree with Dr. Kuller (1) that large-scale epidemio-logic studies require substantial input from innovative, committed investigators across a range of disciplines-as in the UK Biobank-in deciding what questions to ask, what measurements to make, and what samples to collect, so that a wide range of hypotheses about many different conditions may be addressed (2). Given the scientific potential of the UK Biobank and the controversies surrounding its initiation (3), it is hard to imagine a stronger vested interest in its success for the investigators involved. We also agree that detailed phenotyping in large prospective cohort studies can allow more specific questions to be addressed (4).