Three Girls Died, Others Hospitalized, After HPV Vaccine

Amid controversy over state legislatures in the U.S. requiring young girls to take Gardasil, Merck's new vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), severe side effects are being reported.

1,637 adverse reactions have been reported by Judicial Watch, a public interest watchdog, including three girls who died shortly after receiving the immunization. Judicial Watch obtained the reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration using the Freedom of Information Act.

In Australia, 25 girls who had just received their first injection of the vaccine experienced headache, nausea, and dizziness. In some cases, the problems were so severe that they were hospitalized. Shares of the vaccine's Australian developer, CSL, fell after the incident was reported in the news.

British Medical Journal June 9, 2007;334:1182-1183

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Should young girls be required to take Gardasil by the government when possible side effects include hospitalization and death? There have also been reports from the National Vaccine Information Center about fainting and dizziness reported by dozens of patients as side effects of Gardasil, and there are even some concerns that Gardasil may cause infertility. These are steep risks for a vaccine that only sometimes protects against HPV, which is virtually 100 percent avoidable without an expensive and potentially fatal vaccine. Please realize that Merck has manipulated the medical and political system to FORCE children to get this dangerous vaccine for their own bottom line profit. The potential promised reduction of cervical cancer is the bait they use. Remember Merck, the manufacturer of this vaccine, is the same company that made Vioxx that killed over 60,000 people. It is also important to understand that this year, some 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, which can be caused by HPV, and about 3,700 will die from it. In comparison, 16 times more American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (178,480), and 11 times more will die from it (40,460). As Merck's own literature says, it is important to realize that Gardasil does not protect women against some "non-vaccine" HPV types. So, even if girls accept the risks and get vaccinated, they can still get HPV. Finally, although more than 6 million women contract HPV each year, a woman's immune system is often strong enough to clear up the infection on its own. About 90 percent of HPV infections simply clear up within two years. Remember, it is NOT the infection that is the issue as much as it is the person's immune system. You can be exposed to these bacteria and viruses and if you are living a healthy lifestyle your body's immune system will typically know how to address the infection.

Related Articles:

Merck's HPV Lobbying May be Coming to Your State

Will the HPV Vaccine Soon be Mandatory for Schoolgirls?

Do Women Really Understand HPV?

Indian Teen Performs C-Sec for the Record Books

June 23, 2007
DesiGirl

The Hippocratic Oath, according to Wikipedia, "...is an oath traditionally taken by physicians pertaining to the ethical practice of medicine." As even us non-medical professionals know, thanks to a decade of ER and such, upholding the Oath is of vital importance to a physician. Though segments of the original Greek words have been modified to suit the modern times, the essence of it remains the same:

To do no harm to those who come in search of a cure.

I guess this is where the good doctors K Murugesan and his wife, M Gandhimathay slipped. In their eagerness to be the proud parents of a Guinness Book of Records certified 'World's Youngest Surgeon', they veered off their Oath-sworn path and well into the path of controversy.

By allowing their 15-year-old son, Dileepan Raj, to perform a c-section on one of their patients, they have caused moral and ethical outrage within the medical community and across the general populace. As doctors, their duty is towards the welfare of their patient - in this case, a pregnant mother and her unborn infant. How can they put that aside and entertain thoughts of world records and such at this stage?

Not stopping at operating on that poor woman, 27-year-old Neela, the doctors parents decided to go further and let the whole world and its wife know what a pistol they have for a son. They filmed the operation (oh the ignominy of it!) and premiered it at the Indian Medical Association's meeting on May 6. When the assembled brethren didn't gasp in wonder but in dismay at this, Dr Murugesan quipped, and I quote, “If a 10-year-old can drive a car and a 15-year-old can become a doctor in the US, what is wrong if my son, though not qualified, performs a surgery?”

Let's see if we can tell the good doctor what is wrong. Googling for the Hippocratic Oath netted me the gems the doctors have forgotten:

1. To keep the good of the patient as the highest priority - Strike one - having an unskilled boy perform a complex operation such as a caesarean-section, thereby risking not one but two lives is a big no no. I cannot imagine anyone feeling better at the thought of having the proud parents hovering over their son's hands and guiding them.

2. Never to do deliberate harm to anyone for anyone else's interest - it wasn't in anyone else's interest but their own, so that they could see their son's name in the Guinness Book of World Records. That they didn't cause GBH to the mother or the baby is a blessing. So, strike two!

3. To practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patients, and to try to avoid harming them - The mother of them all, 'for the good of my patients', has been wiped off the memory banks of the culprits. Strike three!

Three strikes, doc - you're out!

The IMA's less than enthusiastic response and the resulting fallout possibly triggered a late reaction in his brain and Doc Murugesan backpedalled furiously to keep self and wife from disbarment and further negative publicity. He has denied that the offspring actually took the scalpel in his own bare hands and cut open a woman's belly. Apparently, the boy just watched, while his dad did the deed.

Maybe. But what about his claim to the Kumudam Reporter that his boy has been performing such operations from the time he was 12?

With the IMA urging disbarment and the local Health Minister promising 'tough action' if the whole incident could be proven, the future seems a bit sticky for the doctors. But no one can get their hands on a copy of the offending video - maybe the doctors came to their senses and burned the evidence. I, for one, hope that someone locks these offending individuals up and throws away the key. What sort of a doctor, what sort of a person does such a thing?

Growing ear hair to get your name on the record books is one thing; wilfully endangering a person's lives is a different kettle of fish. I say, punish these idiots and make an example out of them. Maybe that will deter other idiots from trying to create such vile records, like the nut who tried to make waves by performing 50 hernia operations in 24 hours.

Another benefit of breastfeeding...

BARCELONA, Spain, Jun 15, 2007 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Breastfeeding for 13 months or more can reduce the mother's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, Swedish researchers reported Friday.
Comparable use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy showed no significant effect on the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, said Dr. Mitra Keshavarz, of Malmo Hospital University, Sweden.
The findings add to the "growing body of evidence in favor of breastfeeding and its positive health implications -- this time demonstrating its protective benefits for the mother," Keshavarz said.
The study compared information from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge and the National Cause of Death Register from 1991 to 1996.
The findings were presented at the Annual European Congress of rheumatology in Barcelona.

Palestinian State No Longer Practical or Relevant

by Ezra HaLevi
Israelnationalnews.com

“We have to replace the conception of a two-state solution it is not relevant anymore,” former Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Moshe Yaalon told Army Radio Thursday morning. “This is not pessimism, but realism. It is not practical to keep assuming it is the answer.”

“We are trying to find answers for the situation in Gaza without diagnosing the problem,” the previous IDF chief said. “What we are witnessing in Gaza is the establishment of a Jihadist Islamic society.”

Yaalon says that any talk of negotiations and withdrawing to the 1967 borders pushes peace farther away. “These are movements that are not interested in territorial issues between us and the Palestinians, but in other issues altogether. This was proven with the Disengagement and now is our opportunity to look and learn. It was a victory in their eyes for the global Jihad and gave strength to Hizbullah, Hamas and all the other Islamist groups.”

“Maybe we should therefore strengthen the moderates?” Army Radio’s Yael Dann asked Yaalon.

“I am not saying to sit and do nothing…but in the face of the wave of Jihad, any discussions of agreements are not relevant. Any talk like this distances us further from peace rather than bringing us closer…It is a kind of blindness to continue to pursue these policies.”

“How do you explain our ‘blindness’ during Oslo and now during the era of ‘Hamastan,’” Dann asked.

“We are always looking for a solution - we want peace now and it blinds us. We blame ourselves, changing the government and the prime minister.”

Asked if he would be joining Binyamin Netanyahu on the eve of elections, Yaalon said: “Right now I am not entering politics.”

Related Article: Changing the Paradigm by Moshe Arens (Ha'aretz)

What's Really in a McDonald's Chicken McNugget?

Chicken McNuggets include several synthetic ingredients, such as tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a petroleum-derived chemical sprayed onto the "food" or inside the box to preserve freshness.

Deep-fried foods in general are also dangerous in many ways, which is why French fries remain one of the worst foods anyone could eat.

Also, about one-third of the ingredients necessary to make the average McNugget (13 out of a lengthy list of 38) include some derivatives of corn, which may explain one reason why industrial agriculture produces so much of it -- in addition to the lucrative subsidies.

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I can honestly say I have never tasted a Chicken McNugget, but I am sure that is not true for most people. If you fall into that group then I would encourage you to review The Omnivore's Dilemma, a brilliant book by New York Times author Michael Pollan, who has also written about all the health problems associated with cattle raised conventionally.

You can use the information he has researched to lovingly share with your children the next time they beg you to take them to the nearest McDonald's. (Most likely one is close to your home as there are over 30,000 McDonald's restaurants worldwide.)

Pollan found that not only do the french fries contain acrylamide but the nuggets also contain TBHQ, which in high doses has caused precursors to stomach tumors and DNA damage in lab animals. A number of studies have also shown that TBHQ can be carcinogenic with prolonged exposure.

Other McNuggets ingredients include sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium lactate, hydrogenated vegetable oils (that is to say, trans fats), and dimethylpolysiloxane.

Sounds like exactly what you want in your food, doesn't it?

I know it is not the easiest thing in the world but it is VITAL to understand that you are not going to achieve optimal health unless you make a conscious commitment to eat healthy unprocessed food made by someone in your kitchen.

Yes, this is not always convenient, but it is important to think long term. Wouldn't you much prefer to invest a few minutes to do some cooking and enjoy the increased energy, vitality and freedom from acute illnesses like coughs, colds and flus?

Believe me, once you start eating healthy you will be shocked at how good you feel in the short term. And the great thing is that 10 to 20 years from now when your friends and relatives are dropping like flies because they chose "convenience" foods you will not be following their quick path to the grave.

Wise up, stop the McDonald's and start Taking Control of Your Health today.

Imported toothpastes from China

Imported toothpastes from China contain highly toxic levels of a sweet-tasting chemical called di-ethylene glycol (DEG) that's commonly used in antifreezes, brake fluids, and as a commercial solvent.

WHY should this be so alarming (aside from the obvious). It's because DEG has been pinpointed as the major cause of an astounding number of deaths and poisonings in the last century. Here's a summary of just a few of the most egregious examples:

* 1937: 107 Americans perished after taking sulfanilamide (anti-bacterial agents) dissolved in diethylene glycol. This tragedy was the driving force behind 1938s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of Congress.

* 1990: 339 Bangladeshi children suffered kidney failure, again at the hands of an analgesic syrup laced with DEG. Most of them died as a result.

* 1996: 85 children died in Haiti from a glycerin-based analgesic syrup contaminated with DEG - the suspect glycerin was supplied by a company that obtained it from a manufacturer in China. Similar deaths have been reported in South Africa, India, Nigeria, Argentina, and Panama.

* 2006: 46 deaths from renal failure, paralysis and other causes are linked to DEG by Panama's Ministry of Health and the CDC. The source of the contamination was a Chinese company that sold DEG wrongly labeled as pharmaceutical grade glycerin - which the Panamanian government had used as a main ingredient in over a quarter-million bottles of cold medicine.

Of course, the Chinese government isn't copping to any culpability in these documented mass slaughters. Nor are they admitting to guilt in this latest toothpaste/DEG scandal.

In fact, quite the opposite - just days ago (June 4, 2007), their Foreign Ministry issued a press release stating that their own state-run studies indicate that as much as 15.6% DEG is perfectly safe in toothpastes.

Thankfully, FDA guidelines for Americans' safe ingestion stipulate that NO DEG be allowed in any consumable product. I know I'm a huge critic of theirs more often than not - but I have to think that even in spite of their flaws (including allowing Chinese toothpastes to be sold in the U.S.), they're looking out for us better than China's government is looking out for those poor people.

A recent Reuters Health online article maintains that in the People's Republic of China, as many as 10,000 children are rendered deaf each year.

From the improper or excessive use of prescription antibiotics.

Few people realize (especially here in the U.S.), that antibiotic drugs can have negative side effects - sometimes permanent ones, and especially when overused. Among these can be varying degrees of hearing loss, up to and including total deafness.

And according to the Reuters piece, Chinese doctors routinely over-prescribe the newest and most powerful versions of antibiotic drugs for everything from a hangnail on up - largely because of kickbacks they get from "middlemen" for drug makers!

Here's how big the problem is: A Chinese newspaper that broke the story cites their official state sources for the article as claiming that 25% of antibiotic prescriptions in the People's Republic were baseless.

And in a country as populous as China, that equates to a lot of needless harm.

McDonald's Tries to Convince Moms That its Food is Nutritious

In an effort to convince consumers that its food is nutritious, McDonald's is letting a group of six mothers, aged 35 to 42, go behind-the-scenes at McDonald's restaurants, processing plants, orchards and test kitchens.

The mothers will share their experiences with the world via online journals.

McDonald's says that it will have no control over what the women write. The women are not being paid, but McDonald's is paying for their travel and they have been given laptop computers that they will be allowed to keep.

McDonald's is calling the program Mom's Quality Correspondents. The six mothers were picked from a group of 4,000 applicants.

Currently, only 48 percent of women believe that McDonald's food quality is "excellent" or "very good", according to a survey of 14,000 women.

USAToday.com June 12, 2007

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

McDonald's, of course, is banking on the fact that these moms, hand-picked from a pool of thousands of applicants, will help give them a more family-friendly, "mom-approved" reputation amid growing claims that fast-food giants are contributing to obesity and a host of other diet-related health problems across the country.

Frankly, it's shocking to me that even 48 percent of women associate McDonald's with "quality food."

Only this year did McDonald's finally start to remove trans-fat from some of their French fries (and many of their fries still contain it), and their menu is full of non-nutritional "fake foods." Just check out the movie SuperSize Me if you want to know how this food affects your body.

I am fond of telling patients that one French fry is worse for your health than one cigarette, so you may want to consider this snippet before you order your next 'Biggie' order. One of the best things that you can do for yourself and your family is to stay away from fast food restaurants, and carve out some time to prepare healthy food.

If you want to get or stay healthy, someone is just simply going to have to spend some serious time in the kitchen. The time you save by eating at fast food restaurants is not worth the future health complications it could cause.

Please avoid exchanging convenience for your health. Your health is far too precious to lose for a few moments of free time. If you think that you truly don't have the time to do this, take a look at my past article:

Six Easy Ways to Get Better Nutrition Even if You Don't Have the Time.

It will be interesting to see what the moms report. Keep in mind that their journals are being posted on a McDonald's-run Web site, and that there is a strong likelihood that they will be seeing precisely what McDonald's wants them to see. As this Slashfood post points out, this really is a pretty transparent ploy by McDonald's -- there is no doubt that the response will be rave reviews about the quality of McDonald's products, even though any teenager actually working at McDonald's could tell you otherwise.

The Slashfood post goes on to wish that McDonald's would just admit what they really are and stop trying to fool everyone into believing that, against all logic and evidence, it's a healthy place to eat. I couldn't agree more.