Bush's Wacky World of Science

[Why Syzygy]

http://www.alternet.org/story/19157/bush%27s_wacky_world_of_science/

Bush's Wacky World of Science
By Howard Dean . Posted July 6, 2004.

I write this week's column as a physician.

The Bush administration has declared war on science. In the Orwellian world of 21st century America, two plus two no longer equals four where public policy is concerned, and science is no exception. When a right-wing theory is contradicted by an inconvenient scientific fact, the science is not refuted; it is simply discarded or ignored.

Egregious examples abound. Over-the-counter morning-after contraceptive sales are banned, despite the recommendation for approval by an independent panel of the Food and Drug Administration review board.

The health risks of mercury were discounted by a White House staffer who simply crossed out the word "confirmed" from a phrase describing mercury as a "confirmed public health risk."

A National Cancer Institute fact sheet was doctored to suggest that abortion increases breast-cancer risk, even though the American Cancer Society concluded that the best study discounts that.
~snip

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. Thiomersal in contact lense solution, vaccines, and what the Euro Union is doing...

THIOMERSAL IS A FORM OF MERCURY, USED IN VACCINES, CONTACT LENSE SOLUTION, TATTO INK ETC:

Thiomersal (INN) (C9H9HgNaO2S), or sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate, commonly known in the United States as thimerosal, is an organomercury compound (approximately 49% mercury by weight) used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent.

...It was developed and registered under the trade name Merthiolate in 1928 by the pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly and Company and has been used as a preservative in vaccines, immunoglobulin preparations, skin test antigens, antivenins, ophthalmic and nasal products, and tattoo inks.

In the U.S., the European Union, and a few other affluent countries, the compound is being phased out from vaccines routinely given to children.Packaging the vaccines in single-dose vials eliminates the need for bacteriostatics such as thiomersal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thimerosal

THIOMERSAL SOLUTION CAUSED 10% OF PROBLEMS IN CONTACT LENSE WEARERS

In 1989, thiomersal was responsible for about 10% of problems related to contact lenses:<49> because of this, many products no longer contain thimerosal.

^ Wilson-Holt N, Dart JK. "Thiomersal keratoconjunctivitis, frequency, clinical spectrum and diagnosis." Eye. 1989;3 ( Pt 5):581–7. PMID 2630335

1: Eye. 1989;3 ( Pt 5):581-7.Links
Thiomersal keratoconjunctivitis, frequency, clinical spectrum and diagnosis.Wilson-Holt N, Dart JK.
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.

Thiomersal keratoconjunctivitis is a common problem in soft contact lens wearers, accounting for thirty two (10%) of three hundred and twelve consecutive referrals for contact lens related problems to an out patient department. The clinical findings in 55 patients are described, of which 42 show the 'typical' appearance of the condition. This consists of non-specific conjunctival changes, limbal follicles, superficial punctate keratopathy and superior corneal epithelial opacity. Thirteen atypical cases are presented, demonstrating superior limbitis occurring in isolation, coarse punctate keratopathy, severe keratopathy with visual loss, pseudo-dendritic corneal lesions, acute conjunctival hyperaemia without keratopathy. Symptoms were also seen in two patients who were hard lens wearers. In such atypical cases, diagnosis may be difficult but can be aided by the use of topical challenge with thiomersal.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2630335

[Why Syzygy]

2. My gosh

I didn't realize it is Merthiolate. That was my dad's #1 choice for minor cuts. Orange knees anyone?

[Celebration]

3. Oh, I remember that stuff

Was it called mercurichrome? I remember something called something like that. Usually it was just soap and water for me, though.

[Why Syzygy]

4. There were both.

Right off the top, I don't recall the difference. My dad had ingrown toenails, and used it quite a bit when he cut them. Both of them sting, IIRC!

[MountainLaurel]

7. Methiolate burned like a SOB

The other just stung a bit.

[Why Syzygy]

5. But, you do realize, that's just ONE issue in a sea of issues.

It's the pattern. Scientific research is hampered by governmental interference at every turn.

Here's a related story from LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3750780

Crop Scientists Say Biotechnology Seed Companies Are Thwarting Research
Biotechnology companies are keeping university scientists from fully researching the effectiveness and environmental impact of the industry’s genetically modified crops, according to an unusual complaint issued by a group of those scientists.

Ken Ostlie, an entomologist, said Syngenta had withdrawn its permission and a study about corn and rootworms had to stop.
“No truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions,” the scientists wrote in a statement submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. The E.P.A. is seeking public comments for scientific meetings it will hold next week on biotech crops.
...
added bold

These scenarios prevent honest debate on scientific basis. With no accurate information, or access to same, it ain't Science!

[trotsky]

6. You do realize the primary reaction - by far - to thimerosal was an allergic one.

And that your shocking breaking news study is TWENTY years old, right?

Thimerosal was pulled out of contact lens solution during the 90s because some people are allergic. And it's been removed from all required childhood immunizations as a precautionary move - not for any scientific evidence showing it to be unsafe. You really don't need to scare people about it any more, but if you want to waste your time, be my guest. It keeps you busy.