1.   And many doctors believe either that implants can cause severe illnesses or that there is at least a possibility that they do.

2.   At the time, there were no published scientific studies either way on whether implants caused disease.

3.   Barrie Carmichael, a spokeswoman for Dow Corning, said Wednesday that the settlement is by no means an admission that implants cause disease.

4.   All three plaintiffs in the case said they had autoimmune disorders caused by implants.

5.   But some doctors who have seen hundreds of women with implants say their own experience convinces them that the implants do cause a disease.

6.   But the report asserts in forceful terms that there is no reason to believe that the implants cause rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or any other systemic disease.

7.   But whether the implants cause autoimmune diseases is greatly disputed by the company, a stance supported by several studies showing no link between silicone and systemic illness.

8.   Dow Corning, supported by a growing body of research, has denied throughout the battle that implants cause systemic illness like autoimmune disorders.

9.   Early in the controversy, Dow Corning took steps to show its concern for women fearful their implants caused disease.

10.   Dow Corning Corp., headquartered nearby, made this placid city ground zero in the war over allegations that implants cause disease.