-
make tv in < 10min
- add something new
- one of many ways to get on tv
-
-
What We Eat
- What is your relationship with food? more info
-
- NON-PAID ASSIGNMENT
- FORMAT:
- ENDS: 17/10/2008 12:00 AM GMT
-
-
-
USDA biotech regulations on "pharma" crops could allow drugs in food
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today denounced newly proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules governing genetically engineered crops, including food crops engineered to produce pharmaceutical and industrial products. The proposed rules, UCS charged, would not protect the U.S. food supply from potential contamination by drugs from "pharma" crops, and could allow drugs that it deems "safe" to enter the food supply. This contamination could occur through cross-pollination or seed mixing between pharma food crops and crops intended for consumption.
The USDA ignored recommendations for a ban on the outdoor production of pharma food crops from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, major food companies, UCS, and more than 100 environmental, agricultural, health, and consumer organizations.
Below is a statement by Jane Rissler, UCS's Food and Environment Program deputy director:
"Under the proposed rules, USDA's new motto is 'Only safe levels of drugs in U.S. food.' If these proposals are enacted into law, American consumers must accept the possibility of drugs in their breakfast cereal or other common foods. Moreover, these rules likely will lead to contamination scares, which will hurt the food industry.
"The USDA proposal, unlike the ban we recommended, offers no incentives to drug companies to pursue already existing, safer methods for producing drugs.
"In its rush to enact the proposed rules into law before the end of the Bush administration, the USDA has given short shrift to public participation. The department is allowing only 45 days for the public to analyze and comment on this major proposal, which will determine the government's approach to regulating genetically engineered organisms for years to come.
"The proposed rules also overhaul the existing regulatory system for genetically engineered crops other than pharma crops. Some of the proposed changes represent steps in the right direction such as making the regulatory program more coherent and comprehensive, expanding the scope of genetically engineered organisms subject to government oversight, and allowing the department to consider impacts on public health."
For UCS's Web feature profiling innovative biotechnology companies that are developing drugs more safely, go to
http://ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/solutions/sensib....
For the location of pharma crops that have been grown outdoors across the country, go to
http://go.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/pharm/index.p....
_________________________
Here we go again. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today denounced newly proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules governing genetical... more -
Limit on cold remedies for kids was FDA's idea
"When drug makers made a surprise announcement this week that they no longer recommend cough and cold remedies for youngsters under 4, they didn't let on that it was the government's idea.
And why age 4 rather than the age 6 that pediatricians' wanted?
Because the Food and Drug Administration suggested that, too.
FDA officials proposed the cutoff earlier this year in private discussions with the industry, government and industry officials confirmed Friday. The companies agreed, and this week announced they were "voluntarily" changing their advice to parents.
The maneuvering is an example of how government health officials and the industries they regulate seek to come to an accommodation behind the scenes on tricky issues. In this case, there is scant evidence that the widely used over-the-counter medicines really do work in children. Emergency-room data shows that they sicken some 7,000 kids a year, mostly because of overdoses.
"There is a delicate dance between how much legal authority the FDA has and their use of the bully pulpit for getting some sort of compromise," said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore's health commissioner.
Sharfstein and other pediatricians have asked the FDA to ban the cold products for children under 6. A panel of independent advisers to the FDA strongly seconded that recommendation. But the agency took a different approach.
"The analysis that led to the under-4 cutoff was performed by FDA," said Rita Chappelle, a spokeswoman for the agency. "We suggested it, and then it was voluntarily adopted by industry. (They) did not come up with the proposal themselves."
Even now, however, the reasons for setting a cutoff specifically for kids under 4 remain unclear.
The FDA says it settled on age 4 after a careful data review and a vigorous internal debate. Officials said emergency room data shows that most of the problems with the drugs involve kids under 4. But the FDA refused to release the hospital data, which comes from a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And CDC said Friday it could not immediately supply a detailed breakdown.
Still, some of the FDA's independent advisers question the under-4 recommendation.
"There was no data suggesting that the drugs were effective in kids under 12," said Sean Hennessy, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. "I don't see how that's a fully rational approach to the problem." "When drug makers made a surprise announcement this week that they no longer recommend cough and cold remedies for youngsters und... more -
Talk radio hosts accuse Magic Johnson of faking AIDS
Former NBA star Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show hosts Friday for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn't want them to be fired.
Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker's conservative radio show on Wednesday. After Johnson condemned the statements, the station said it regretted "some offhand remarks" by the pair.
"We can't have people out here making false statements and putting out bad information, because this battle is too big when it comes to HIV and AIDS," Johnson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
"I poured my life into it and a lot of other people have poured their life into it, into getting out the right information so people can protect themselves and know what HIV and AIDS is all about."
Johnson called the remarks "so stupid," and said he hadn't heard from the station. He also wants the hosts to keep their jobs.
"I would rather they educate their audience," he said.
According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted that health care isn't a basic right. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time "if you just get some basic drugs."
Baker responded, "Like Magic Johnson?"
Perry replied, "Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS."
Baker said, "You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?"
Perry replied, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS."
"Me too," Baker said.
Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and then retired from the NBA at 32.
KTLK's statement said it recognized the seriousness of AIDS and the "great work" Johnson has done to call attention to the disease.
"We regret that some offhand remarks by commentators on KTLK did not reflect that," the statement said. "To better inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching out to Mr. Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts."
Program director Steve Versnick said the station wouldn't comment beyond the statement.
Johnson, 49, said his health is "wonderful." He also noted that he has HIV, not AIDS.
"You have incredible drugs now," he said. "I'm working out every day." Former NBA star Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show hosts Friday for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn't want... more -
Climate change forcing animals to move up
"These kinds of changes have been going on forever," said James L. Patton, a biologist at UC Berkeley's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. "The only difference is that this has probably happened in our lifetime. It's the speed with which these changes are taking place that gives one pause." "These kinds of changes have been going on forever," said James L. Patton, a biologist at UC Berkeley's Museum of Verte... more
-
Bridge board OKs suicide barrier nets
Golden Gate Bridge directors voted overwhelmingly late this morning to hang nets alongside the landmark bridge to prevent suicides.
-
105-year-old virgin says no sex the key to long life
A woman celebrating her 105th birthday says that celibacy and staying single has been the key to her long life.
Clara Meadmore, a retired secretary, who still has her own hair, teeth, and sharp wit, never had time for a family and lived alone until going into care.
She said: "I've always had lots of platonic friendships with men but never felt the need to go further than that or marry."
Miss Meadmore, who was born in Glasgow, and lived in Canada and New Zealand, before settling in Cornwall 40 years ago, also added that she had never had any interest in sex.
"I imagine there is a lot of hassle involved and I have always been busy doing other things," she said.
"When I was a girl you only had sex with your husband and I never married. I grew up in an era where little girls were to be seen and not heard so I had to learn to stand up for myself and earn my own living.
"Some men don't like that in a woman and before long I was too old to marry anyway."
Miss Meadmore has never owned a television, but she enjoys the radio, and is a particular fan of the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour programme. She also enjoys cooking, gardening and reading.
She saved up her salary and spent the money going on walking tours in many parts of Britain in the 1920s and 1930s, and she still has the diaries of the trips.
A friend, Josie Harvey, who has known her for 30 years, said: "She was fiercely independent and believed in doing things her own way, and that allowed her to live a long life.
"She has kept a great interest in what is going on in the world and she is a wonderful source of information."
Miss Meadmore is due to celebrate her 105th birthday on Saturday at a party at the Perran Bay nursing home in Perranporth, Cornwall. A woman celebrating her 105th birthday says that celibacy and staying single has been the key to her long life. ... more -
Free Drug Samples- For Kids!
"Free prescription drug samples distributed to children may be unsafe, according to a study by physicians from Cambridge Health Alliance and Hasbro Children's Hospital. The national study, the first to look at free drug sample use among children, appears in the October 2008 issue of Pediatrics.
The authors, who also serve as researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, found that children commonly receive free drug samples from their doctors. One out of every 20 American children received free drug samples in 2004. Among children who took at least one prescription drug in that year, nearly one in 10 got free samples.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified significant new safety concerns for four of the top 15 most frequently distributed samples in 2004. These four medications acquired new black box warnings or had significant revisions to existing black box warnings issued since 2004. In addition, two of the top 15 sample medications given to children were schedule II controlled substances (drugs controlled and monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency due to high potential for abuse). Distribution of these medications, Strattera (atomoxetine) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), carries risk, especially when drug sample closets in physician's offices (or home medicine cabinets) are not strictly monitored.
Although some physicians support the use of free drug samples as a way of getting medications to indigent patients, lead author Dr. Sarah Cutrona and colleagues found that few free samples in their study go to needy children. More than 80 percent of children receiving samples were insured all year. Conversely, approximately 16 percent were uninsured for all or part of 2004, and less than one-third had low family incomes (under $38,000 for a family of four). Minority children were less likely to receive free samples than white non-Hispanic children, and free sample receipt was positively associated with markers reflecting access to health care. The authors concluded that free sample distribution does not equalize medication access for needy children."
Um, wtf? "Free prescription drug samples distributed to children may be unsafe, according to a study by physicians from Cambridge Health A... more -
It Takes Strength To Be Gentle and Kind
Ryan says research shows that being kind and generous can add years to your life, probably because committing an act of kindness -- or even thinking a kind thought -- is may trigger the release of stress-busting, happy-making hormones that combat the potentially damaging hormones your anxiety and fear activate. Ryan mentions the "helper's high," a rush of feel-good endorphins induced by doing unto others, and says those hormones may help keep you healthy. (For the record, Ryan's not a doctor, and I wasn't able to find published studies to support these claims. But the general principles are in keeping with existing research about stress hormones and endorphins.) Ryan says research shows that being kind and generous can add years to your life, probably because committing an act of kindness -- or... more
-
US: New Bill Targets Rogue Druggists On The Internet
President Bush is set to sign legislation that will help the federal government crack down on hundreds of rogue Internet pharmacies that peddle controlled substances like the painkiller Vicodin or the stimulant Ritalin.
The bill reflects growing concern among parents and public-health experts that certain online pharmacies enable almost anyone to purchase drugs with a few mouse clicks and without seeing a doctor or getting a valid prescription. Experts believe the Web sites are fueling an increase in the abuse of prescription drugs, especially among teenagers.
The legislation, approved by Congress last month, aims to make it harder for people to obtain the drugs by prohibiting online pharmacies from dispensing medications to anyone without a valid prescription from a doctor who has examined the purchaser in person at least once. It would have little effect on legal online pharmacies, such as drugstore.com and the sites of pharmacy chains Walgreen Co. and CVS Caremark Corp. that already impose such rules on their customers.
Regulators say the new law is intended in part to strengthen the federal government's ability to enforce existing statutes and make clear how they apply to the Internet. "This is really making explicit what has been implicit," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat and the bill's lead sponsor in the Senate. "We've tried to close this loophole by essentially addressing this problem of controlled substances being sold without any medical oversight or prescription."
The bill has limitations, however. For one, it's not aimed at online pharmacies based outside the country. Also, the bill also doesn't address non-controlled prescription drugs, such as the erectile-dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis, hair-loss drug Propecia, painkiller Celebrex and muscle relaxant Soma that are popular on rogue sites. Finally, the bill does not create new requirements for Internet search engines, credit-card companies or package-delivery concerns whose services are used in online pharmacy transactions.
Abuse of prescription medicines is beginning to rival that of illegal drugs as a public health worry. From 1992 to 2006, the number of people who admitted abusing controlled prescription drugs doubled to 15.8 million, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. That is more than the combined number of people who reported abusing cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin.
Teenagers are especially vulnerable. In 2006, 2.2 million teens between ages 12 and 17 admitted abusing a prescription drug in the past year. While the role of rogue online pharmacies is hard to quantify, Joseph Califano, president of the center at Columbia, says they are a "significant" part of the problem, in part because college students can get online orders sent to their mailboxes without parents' knowledge. Teenagers also get drugs out of their parents' medicine cabinets, he says.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says that a relatively small percentage of people get controlled drugs illegally over the Internet, but that they frequently get them in large quantities -- 100 to 120 pills at a time, compared to just a handful from friends or pilfered from pill bottles at home. The DEA also believes these pharmacies are an "upstream" source of the drugs, meaning they sell them to individuals who then deal them to others. Potential for Abuse
Controlled substances are policed by the DEA because of their potential to be abused or lead to addiction. Those popular on the Internet include stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, depressants such as Xanax and Valium, and the weight-loss drug phentermine.
more@link President Bush is set to sign legislation that will help the federal government crack down on hundreds of rogue Internet pharmacies th... more -
APA Approves Measure Banning Psychologists from Interrogations
The American Psychological Association has approved a landmark measure banning members from taking part in interrogations of prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. We speak to Dan Aalbers, member of the dissident APA group called the Coalition for an Ethical Psychology.
more@link The American Psychological Association has approved a landmark measure banning members from taking part in interrogations of prisoners... more -
2008 Pro-Cannabis Law Reform Ad Contest
Building on both last year’s successful Cannabis Clip Contest and this year’s historic observance of America’s 20th millionth cannabis-related arrest on October 10, 2008, the NORML Foundation announces a call for citizen activists, artists, and artisans against cannabis prohibition to submit either a video or flash animation (30 or 60 seconds) for a $2,500 grand prize (and $10,000 in overall prizes).
To kick off this educational campaign and contest we choose to use an artistic variation of one of America’s most iconic images, Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’, to attempt to convey the common person’s sense of outrage that cannabis prohibition could have ever amounted to 20 million arrests. This prohibition was created and nurtured by the federal government from the very first victim, ‘American Gothic’ farmer-look-a-like Sam Caldwell, to the 20-millionth arrest coming this October.
In 2007 there were 872,721 cannabis-related arrests in America, one every 37 seconds (90% for possession only). The 20-millionth mark has arrived sooner than anyone could have imagined just a few years ago.
Want to have an impact on cannabis law reform? GET GRAPHIC and enter this contest.
Submit as many entries as you want to NORML’s 2008 Marijuana Gothic Ad/video clip contest and qualify to possibly win healthy cash rewards, and recognition by millions of Internet users for your creative contribution to educating the public about the need for alternative policies to cannabis prohibition.
These stakeholder-generated and creative contests are both fun and great ways for citizens all over the world to have more than a vapid, exhibitionistic ‘YouTube’ moment. Rather, their creative contribution in the form of a well-crafted public service announcement will be featured on one of the most popular webpages on the Internet—www.norml.org (and, like last year’s contest winner, television. Building on both last year’s successful Cannabis Clip Contest and this year’s historic observance of America’s 20th millionth cannabis... more -
Africa Goes Green
Since the arrival of crop scientists and agro-economists, Malawi has been the place of a “Green Revolution.” Farmers are being trained in sustainable farming, and are succeeding to the point that they are “selling maize to Kenya and giving food aid to Zimbabwe.” Since the arrival of crop scientists and agro-economists, Malawi has been the place of a “Green Revolution.” Farmers are being trained... more
-
Women more interested in celebrities than own health
Women are more interested in celebrity culture than their own health, a charity claims after conducting a poll of 1,000 women.
The poll found that nearly four out of five women could name Coleen McLoughlin as footballer Wayne Rooney's wife. However, just over half said they checked their breast for lumps once a month or more. The survey showed there was a particular lack of awareness among older women.
Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "While women are clued up about the latest gossip from celeb-land, it appears they are dismissing serious information that could save lives. More than 45,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and we know that early diagnosis gives the best possible chance of survival." Women are more interested in celebrity culture than their own health, a charity claims after conducting a poll of 1,000 women. ... more -
Venezuela shuts down McDonald's
Venezuela's government has shut all branches of restaurant chain McDonald's for 48 hours, citing tax irregularities, officials have said.
The head of the country's tax agency, Jose David Cabello, said the chain had inconsistencies in its accounts.
The 115 branches in Venezuela were closed from Thursday to Saturday. Venezuela's government has shut all branches of restaurant chain McDonald's for 48 hours, citing tax irregularities, officia... more -
South Africa: Mystery hemorrhagic fever kills 3
GENEVA (AP) -- -- The U.N. health agency says it is investigating a mystery disease that killed three people in the South African city of Johannesburg.
The World Health Organization says the disease appears to be a form of hemorrhagic fever.
It says tests have proved negative for Ebola, Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, Marburg fever and other main types of hemorrhagic fever.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl says the first death on Sept. 13 was a tour guide who had fallen ill in Zambia before being evacuated to South Africa. Two further deaths on Sept. 30 and Oct. 4. involved a paramedic and a nurse who treated the woman.
Hartl said Friday that 121 people are being monitored and WHO hopes to receive further test results by Sunday. GENEVA (AP) -- -- The U.N. health agency says it is investigating a mystery disease that killed three people in the South African city... more -
Bootleg tobacco from smugglers 'causes 4,000 deaths a year'
Cheap cigarettes and other tobacco products smuggled into Britain cause 4,000 or so premature deaths a year, four times the number of fatalities occurring through illegal drugs, doctors claim.
High tobacco prices are drive a flourishing black market for contraband tobacco in Britain, with more than one in five cigarettes known to be smuggled goods.
A study led by Robert West, a professor at the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre in London, found that if smuggling were stopped tobacco prices would rise by about 12%.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, West and his colleagues estimate that such a price increase would encourage between 5%-8% of smokers to stop smoking, and the outcome would be about 4,000 lives saved each year.
"Britain already has one of the world's toughest tobacco control policies, but greater action on smuggling might help cut smoking further," the doctors write.
Tobacco smuggling has fallen substantially since the government announced a strategy against the problem in 2000, but the doctors say more needs to be done. They urge the government to follow other European countries in signing legally enforceable agreements with the tobacco firms Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International, to ensure these companies control tobacco distribution and stop supplying contractors who have smuggling links.
The doctors believe clamping down on smuggling could also reduce the huge disparity in health problems between socioeconomic groups, as poorer smokers might quit if prices rose.
This year Customs officials seized contraband tobacco at British ports and prior to shipment of the material. In April 101m cigarettes destined for Britain were taken in Liege, Belgium. The following month 8m Regal King Size cigarettes were seized at Belfast docks; the £2.4m haul would have evaded duty taxes of about £1.8m.
Responsibility for tackling smuggling is soon to pass to the UK Border Agency.
The doctors call on the government to restrict tobacco sales and distribution, and use methods such as overt and covert marking of tobacco products to track items from makers to retailers. They suggest manufacturers should be responsible for controlling the supply chain of their products and face serious financial penalties for failing to do so.
The World Health Organisation says smoking kills one third to a half of all those using tobacco, amounting to more than 5 million people a year worldwide. Cheap cigarettes and other tobacco products smuggled into Britain cause 4,000 or so premature deaths a year, four times the number of ... more -
Definition of 60-Day Supply of Medical Marijuana
The department has adopted the rule defining a 60-day supply of marijuana for medical use under the state’s medical marijuana law. The rule becomes effective on November 2, 2008.
The rule includes changes made after careful consideration of comments received from the public. The new rule removes the definition of mature and immature plants and simply sets the total number of plants at 15. The 24-ounce total for useable marijuana has not changed. The rule also removes the requirement for a doctor to provide written documentation for a patient to exceed the limit in the rule.
The Department of Health has issued a press release regarding the final rule. A summary of the comments received and final significant analysis are also available.
Report: Patient Access to Medical Marijuana in Washington State
The legislature directed the Department of Health to gather information and report to the legislature on different ways patients could gain access to adequate and safe sources of medical marijuana. The report is based on research, expert advice, public input, and the best practices of other states.
more@link The department has adopted the rule defining a 60-day supply of marijuana for medical use under the state’s medical marijuana law. Th... more -
The 25 Weirdest Things Eaten By A Human
We've all eaten something that other people think is strange, whether it's an odd food combination or just plain gross. But the people in this collection take weird eating to a whole new level, swallowing items from diamond rings to hairballs. We've all eaten something that other people think is strange, whether it's an odd food combination or just plain gross. But ... more
-
Tesco criticised for £5 crate of beer
Tesco are selling a crate of 18 bottles of Carlsberg lager for only £5, an amazing 30p per bottle.
-
Yoga Yoga Yoga!
Okay...I love Yoga. Its like the greatest this ever. My opinion. In a day and age that medical cost are going up, we need to take care of ourselves. If you do try Yoga...remember, do not be discourage...getting flexible takes a while, but it will happen. Okay...I love Yoga. Its like the greatest this ever. My opinion. In a day and age that medical cost are going up, we need to take care... more
-
related topics
Health
Contributors (4,840)
Health
