Beetle Warnings Go Mainstream

A while back I did a post on carmine. It is an additive in processed foods and utilized as a red food coloring agent.

Yesterday I was at the dentist, and while waiting, I picked up a copy of Glamour Magazine and started to look through it. On page 144 of the January issue, they have a story about “The Health Truth of Your Favorite Foods.” There is a cover picture of pink yogurt and it discusses carmine, what it really is (ground beetle carcass) and alternatives to using it (i.e. buy plain yogurt and add honey).

Hopefully with all the press, food companies will seek alternatives…

Court Rules For Vaccine Injured Child

In an article by Jake Aryeh Marcus, upon which I was so glad to find, she details how a landmark ruling supports a vaccine injured child.

And I quote, “In a sealed November 2007 Report leaked to the public, the Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (DVIC), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), concluded that vaccinations led to autism in Hannah Poling, now nine years old, of Georgia. Specifically, the DVIC held that:

‘[T]he facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations [the] child received… significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder.’

Subsequent to the report leak, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a statement on March 3, 2008 stating that it “has maintained and continues to maintain the position that vaccines do not cause autism, and has never concluded in any case that autism was caused by vaccination.”

Hannah Poling’s claim has moved to the phase in which the amount of compensation is to be determined.

Ms. Marcus states the DVIC Report identified five vaccines- DTaP, Hib, MMR, Varivax, and IPV- as casual factors in the cascade of illnesses ultimately resulting in Hannah Poling’s autism spectrum disorder.

For more information regarding this case please see CNN and Autism Vox.

Some Updates For The Regulars Et Al

I do often solemnly swear til’ death do us part to keep you updated on certain things I post. Generally, this relates to lawsuits, and they can take their sweet old time.

I did, however, find some information relating back to the story on mandatory vaccinations in Maryland, which you may view here.

State Attorney Glen Ivy did subsequently state that there is in fact no law in the United States that makes vaccinations mandatory. Instead, if you are truant due to the lack of vaccinations, then criminal penalties may be imposed.

And interestingly enough, Ivy admits he prevented his children from receiving the same vaccinations at issue here. Ivy does state parents may use a waiver form to legally opt out of vaccines.

You may listen to an interview with Ivy on the Alex Jones Show here.

To view a blatantly inaccurate Fox news report stating that a law had been passed requiring the vaccinations (14th Amendment anyone?) please visit here.

Maybe One Day This Info Will Keep Me From Working (in the courtroom that is)

I read a freakishly large amount of material, but a study in the March/April issue of Mothering really caught my eye.

A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan has determined that the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood is children’s repeated exposure to violent entertainment and participation in the virtual violence found in most video games.

The study states that such exposure more strongly influences future aggressive behavior than does living in poverty, engaging in substance abuse, or having abusive parents.

Specific findings include the following:

• Men in their early 20s who were heavy viewers of violent TV shows between the ages of six and nine were twice as likely as other men to push, grab, or shove thier spouses. They were also three times as likely to be convicted of criminal behavior.
• Women who were high-volume viewers of violent shows as young children were more than twice as likely as other women to have thrown something at their spouses, and more than four times as likely as other women to have punched, beaten, or choked another adult.
• Playing violent video games changes brain function, desensitizing chronic players to actual violence.

This study is hardly lonesome. Google the subject and a plethora of information is at your disposal.

Embryonic Stem Cell Ruling Postponed

The ruling that was expected yesterday from Brazil’s Supreme Court regarding embryonic stem cell research is now expected in the next ten to thirty days.

Five hours into the Supreme Court session, Justice Carlos Alberto Menezes Direito formally requested more time to consider the issue.

Latin America Supreme Court To Rule On Stem Cell Research

Brazil’s Supreme Court is set to rule today on whether scientists may conduct embryonic stem cell research.

A new Brazilian law allowing research on embryos resulting from in-vitro fertilization frozen for at least three years was cited as unconstitutional in a petition by General Claudio Fontelles. He argued that the law was unconstitutional because it violated the right to life.

“Brazil has the potential to be a significant leader in this field,” said Bernard Siegel, the executive director of the Florida-based Genetic Policy Institute. “And if the Supreme Court decides to allow this kind of research, then Brazil will become the Latin American leader in this field.”

In opposition to the law, Roman Catholic Church officials have urged the court to ban stem cell research, agreeing with Fontelles that it ends human life. The Church does clarify that their opposition only extends to embryonic stem cells, not adult stem cells.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva favors the current law, allowing for embryonic stem cell research.

We will see how the Brazilian Supreme Court rules…

The Disturbing Videos Don’t Stop…

I don’t purposely seek out undercover animal cruelty videos (due to the fact that I do not enjoy watching them and already know, in general, what goes on at meat plants), but recently posted one involving the animal abuse crackdown at the Westfield Meat Co. in California.

A recent visitor to Veg Lawyer also has some eye opening video posted on the main page of her web log. It involves Tyson Foods.

Caution: It is disturbing, and in my opinion, not for little eyes.

I am posting this because of the various private comments I have received on the Westfield story, which basically can be summed up with, “I had no idea!”

I’m all for education.

You may view the video here. *You need to scroll down on the home page until you see the video link on the right.

Cattle Crackdown

The USDA has shut down the Westland Meat Company due to numerous egregious violations.  The Chino, California meat company was suspended from doing business after the Humane Society released a horrifying video of animal cruelty at the company. The USDA suspended inspection at Westland Meat Company based on the establishment’s clear violation of federal regulations and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

The video footage was obtained by an employee of the Humane Society who had gone  undercover at the company and recorded the tortuous acts committed on the animals.

Westland Meat Company and sister company Hallmark Meat are one of the largest suppliers of beef to the USDA.  The USDA distributes the meat to school lunch programs, the elderly and American Indians.

To view the video, please click here or here.  WARNING: it is horrific and in my opinion, not appropriate for children to view.

Mandatory HIV Testing in New Jersey

A new law was signed by Acting Governor Richard J. Codey last Wednesday in N.J. that will take effect in six months.  It requires that HIV testing become a part of routine prenatal care.  Some say this law will put New Jersey at the forefront of the national fight against HIV transmission to babies.

“We can significantly reduce the number of infections to newborns and help break down the stigma associated with the disease,” Codey said. “For newborns, early detection can be the ultimate lifesaving measure.”

The New Jersey bill will allow women to opt out of the routine testing, but newborns will be required to be tested when the mother has tested positive or her HIV status is unknown.

The American Civil Liberties Union and some women’s groups contend the bill deprives women of authority to make medical decisions.

According to the Kaiser Foundation, New Jersey is ranked third highest in the nation for female AIDS cases.

Dental Dork?

I think my dentist may think I am a total weirdo. I hope not.

I had a routine check up/cleaning this morning, during which, she advised me to start using something called MI Paste. I have always had sensitive teeth. So I can’t bite right on into my popsicle. It’s OK. My quality of life is unhindered…

She really wanted me to start using it. She is all for my dental health. I am all for avoiding anything I can’t buy at Whole Foods or make myself. I never-the-less looked at the bottle. It looked natural-ish I guess. So I took the bottle and started to read the ingredients. Hmmm….