Just the Facts

Beagle “Patent” Revoked
U.S. Patent # 6444872, which applied to beagle dogs intended for use in experiments, was cancelled after the PatentWatch Project of the Center for Technology Assessment filed a legal challenge urging the government to reexamine its position. The patent covered various methods used to induce a fatal lung infection in beagles, as well as pigs, sheep, monkeys, and chimpanzees.

Oh Boy, Fish Milk!
Canadian dairy company Neilson has concocted Dairy Oh! ™, a milk product containing omega-3 fatty acids like the kind found in fish. Selected Ontario dairy cows are fed “a unique diet containing DHA,” which allows it to be “incorporated naturally as part of the milk fat,” say company representatives. Safer sources of omega-3s can be found in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, flax seeds, beans, and nuts.

Dicey KFC Ads Get the Ax
KFC Corp. settled U.S. Federal Trade Commission charges that it made false claims in its advertisements suggesting that fried chicken is healthy or a better choice than fast-food hamburgers. The company has pulled ads suggesting health or weight-loss benefits from any of the food it sells.

Obesity Costs Us—Big Time
Disability claims related to obesity have increased tenfold over the past decade, according to UnumProvident, one of the nation’s largest disability insurance providers. People who file obesity-related claims have significantly higher medical costs, averaging more than $51,000 per claimant each year.

Super Salmonella
The number of drugs available to treat salmonella bacteria continues to dwindle, according to researchers who recently isolated a Taiwan strain resistant to all known antimicrobial medications, including ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans via animal feces spread from animal products (beef, poultry, milk, eggs).

Chiu CH, Su LH, Chu C, et al. Isolation of Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis resistant to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Lancet 2004;363:1285-6.