Category: Issue 332
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Welsh Researcher Questions Evidence for Sugar Addiction
A recent study has reportedly questioned the current availability of scientific literature establishing evidence for physical sugar addiction in humans. David Benton, “The plausibility of sugar addiction and its role in obesity and eating disorders,” Clinical Nutrition, January 2010. David Benton, a psychology professor with the University of Swansea in Wales, apparently reviewed previous research…
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Researchers Examine Effects of GM Corn on Mammalian Health
French researchers with the Committee of Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN), the University of Rouen and the University of Caen have published a paper allegedly linking genetically modified (GM) corn varieties to “new side effects” in mammals. Joël Spiroux de Vendômois, et al., “A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn…
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Study Claims Obesity Rivals Smoking as Contributor to “Burden of Disease”
A forthcoming study has reportedly concluded that, in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost, “the overall health burden of obesity among U.S. adults has increased consistently since 1993” and now rivals the overall health burden of smoking. Haomiao Jia and Erica Lubetkin, “Trends in Quality-Adjusted Life Years Lost Contributed by Smoking and Obesity: Does…
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Paul Voosen, “Can We Feed the World Without Damaging It?,” Greenwire, January 4, 2010
In the fifth and final installment of a series about genetically modified (GM) crops, energy and environmental writer Paul Voosen discusses the growing ranks of organic proponents who have begun to embrace GM crops to achieve “sustainable agricultures that can feed the world.” Voosen describes a plant scientist who manipulates rice in the lab and…
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Shook Recognized for Product Liability Litigation Defense
The American Lawyer has named Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a finalist in the Product Liability category of its Litigation Department of the Year Awards. The firm was recognized “for the breadth of its work, from wins in traditional one-off cases for clients like Kia Motors America, Inc., to its role in managing the massive…
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CSPI Claims Fewer Complete Foodborne Outbreak Investigations Undertaken
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has issued a report that claims state health departments completed fewer foodborne outbreak investigations in 2007 than in the previous decade. The consumer watchdog found that states reported 33 percent fewer fully investigated outbreaks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007 than in…
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CPC Applauds Ban of rBGH Milk and Adulterated Meat
The Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC) is praising a recent policy statement issued by the American Public Health Association’s Governing Council, opposing the continued sale and use of genetically engineered hormonal rBGH milk and meat adulterated with sex hormones. CPC is a Chicago-based, non-profit, public-health advocacy organization. Samuel Epstein, CPC chair and professor emeritus of Environmental…
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New York Times Questions Safety of Ammonia-Treated Beef
The New York Times recently published an investigative report that questions the safety of beef processed with ammonia to kill E. coli and Salmonella. According to the article, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has exempted one company, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), from routine testing requirements since 2007 because the processor apparently claimed that its…