 M&M’s on Steroids
Targeting the adult market with a $10 million advertising blitz,
Masterfoods USA introduced a new supersize version of M&M’s
this summer. These “Mega” candies come in such mature
colors as teal, maroon, and beige and are 55 percent larger than
the original M&M’s. A cartoon on one package promises
there’s “more of me to love.”
This Record-Setting Ultramarathoner Runs on Vegan Fuel
A Seattle athlete who holds the record for the grueling Western
States 100 Mile Endurance Run won an even longer race this summer,
the Badwater Ultramarathon. Scott Jurek, a physical therapist and
coach, finished the 135-mile race through the California desert
in just over 24 hours and 36 minutes. Jurek, who competes in 10–12
ultramarathons a year, has been a vegan since 1999.
For more information, visit www.scottjurek.com.
Simulator Training Saves Money
Simulators that replace animals in training exercises are not
just humane—they are also an economic boon to medical centers.
By training on simulators, obstetricians and anesthesiologists
at all Harvard-affiliated hospitals now receive special discounts
on their annual malpractice insurance premiums. And recent return-on-investment
studies have shown that simulators can pay for themselves in a
matter of weeks when compared to other training methods. There’s
no better indicator that state-of-the-art simulation is where it’s
at for medical education.
 Fake Research a Real Problem
Some U.S. researchers are falsifying research results. In a survey
published this spring in the journal Nature, one in every
three researchers admitted to some sort of professional misbehavior,
and 1.5 percent acknowledged that they had plagiarized or falsified
data. The federal Office of Research Integrity, a division of the
Department of Health and Human Services, deals with the results
of such behavior. The department received a record number of complaints
in 2004, 50 percent more than in 2003.
Abuses in Canine Cloning Experiments
This summer, South Korean scientist Woo-Suk Hwang announced he
had successfully cloned a dog, an Afghan named Snuppy (short for
Seoul National University puppy). Cloned animals suffer from all
kinds of abnormalities, including compromised immune systems and
higher rates of infection and tumor growth. About 90 percent of
cloning attempts fail to produce viable offspring. In Snuppy’s
case, scientists had subjected 123 other dogs to repeated procedures—using
more than 1,000 embryos—in an attempt to “create” a
clone. Only three pregnancies resulted; one dog miscarried and
another’s puppy died after just 22 days.
Meat Industry Rallies against Safety Regulations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsored a public meeting
on meat safety this summer at the University of Minnesota in St.
Paul. Participants bemoaned huge economic losses if stricter regulations
to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)
are ever implemented. Panelists included the National Cattlemen’s
Beef Association, the National Renderers Association, the National
Milk Producers Association, and numerous other meat industry groups.
Not one health, consumer, or animal protection group was included
in the discussion.
 Candied Milk, Anyone?
In its efforts to boost ever-declining milk sales, the dairy industry
is rolling out new high-calorie concoctions with names like “Cookies & Cream,” “Milky
Way,” and “Starburst.” Some are even carbonated.
Although unflavored cow’s milk is fattening enough—an
eight-ounce glass contains 8.2 grams of fat and 150 calories—these
new products are packed with extra sugar. And unlike typical soft
drinks, they also contain milk’s usual load of saturated
fat.
PCRM Illustrations - Doug Hall
Media
Center | Health | Research
| About PCRM | Catalog
| Join Us | Search
| Site Index | Home
The site does
not provide medical or legal advice. This Web site is for information purposes
only.
Full Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
|
