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September 12, 2000
A message from the Fruitarian Network
Patrick Eddington, former CIA employee and author of GASSED IN THE
GULF, was aired on C Span tonight speaking of the over 100,000
American troops gassed in March of 1991 during Desert Storm
with a nerve gas. The Czech unit in Desert Storm registered
the nerve gas. These troops had been ordered into war by George
Bush. Eddington found in research at the CIA Library that
at Texas' Brooks Air Force Base, primates were given micrograms of
the same nerve gas over a 5 day period. At the end of 5 days
it was found their motor skills had significantly declined.

26% of the Desert Storm troops have registered with the Veterans'
Administration over illnesses.

Dr. Donald Barnes, founding member of Psychologists for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, resigned in the 80's from his job irradiating
chimps at Brooks Air Force Base. A movie starring Matthew Broderick
was made about Barnes' act of courage.

The number of animals used in research has risen in Britain due to genetic engineering. -Nigel Hawkes in The Times 24th and 25th July 2000
The promise of the Blair government to reduce the number of animals used in research has not materialized due to the fact that more animals, mostly mice, are being genetically engineered to accommodate the animal experimenters.

The Medical Research Council has published a booklet Mice and Medicine that claims almost every medical drug has been developed through animal  procedures.  (While it is true that animals were used in the development of almost every drug, there is no proof that their use contributed to the efficacy or safety of the drugs which could only be determined after they were used on humans.  There is also no proof that their use was essential to the development of the drugs which might have taken place sooner if more modern scientific methods that reflect human rather than mouse characteristics had been used.  Mice typically metabolize a drug in three hours compared to three days for humans.  The longer period allows more time for harmful effects to occur.  Drugs are constantly being recalled after they have injured and even killed the humans for whom they were prescribed,)

Embryonic stem cell research rated "Breakthrough of the Year" by Science Dec 17, 1999
Scientists working with embryonic stem cells, which have the capability of developing into any of the body's other cells and assuming their functions, holds out hope for growing new body parts to replace mal-functioning or worn-out parts. 

They have also found that some stem cells taken from adult tissue can be converted to other types of cells, brain cells becoming blood cells, for instance.

"Although much remains to be done to convert today's results into tomorrow's treatments and tools, the likelihood of success seems high," according to editor Floyd E. Bloom.

Optimistic promises of medical breakthroughs that don't pan out are made with monotonous regularity.  This one seems likelier to bear fruit because it is dealing with uniquely human cells rather than cells in the bodies of other species.  The possibility of being able to replicate these cells is "dazzling".  This technology has been retarded by the protestations of those who are of the opinion that these cells, even those that are a byproduct of in vitro fertilization,  invisible to the naked eye, should be thrown away.



DLRM to convene in London, March 4, 1999
Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine will hold their fifth
International Scientific in Westminster Central Hall in London on
March 4. 1999.

Details and reservations available from DLRM, 104B Weston Park,
London N8 9PP  Phone: 081 340 9813

Ruling on human stem cell research  January 22, 1999

The National Institutes of Health will fund some research on stem cells from human embryos "as long as publicly-funded researchers do not grow the cells themselves," according to NIH director Harold Varmus.

The restriction is to get around federal law forbidding the use of public money for research involving the use of live human embryos.  The source of the parent cells -- aborted fetuses and unused cells from in vitro fertilization attempts -- is opposed by anti-abortion groups.

For now, federally-funded researchers will be separated from the process of handling the parent cells, but NIH is working on guidelines that could close the gap "within the next  few months".

Stem cells from very new human embryos can develop into any type of cell in the human body giving them the potential to replace damaged cells in treating human diseases.               The Boston Globe  January 20, 1999

Federally-funded researchers are under no restrictions to work with stem cells from other species, but these have no application for treating human ailments.