Category: Issue 456
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New Study Examines Shared Neurobiology of Obesity and Addiction
A recent study examining the shared neurobiological substrates of obesity and addiction has concluded that “there are several identifiable circuits in the brain, whose dysfunctions uncover real and clinically meaningful parallels between the two disorders.” N.H. Volkow, et al., “Obesity and addiction: neurobiological overlaps,” Obesity Reviews, September 2012. According to the study’s authors, “Drugs of…
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“BeeBots” Generate Buzz Worldwide
Researchers with the Universities of Sheffield and Sussex recently announced plans to build a computer model of the honey bee brain that would eventually pilot “an autonomous flying robot.” According to an October 2, 2012, press release, the “Green Brain” project aims to produce a tiny flying robot able to sense and act like a…
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Retired Military Leaders Say American Youth “Still Too Fat to Fight”
Mission: Readiness, a non-profit organization of senior retired military leaders, has issued a second report claiming that one in four young adults are still “too overweight to enlist.” Titled “Still Too Fat to Fight,” the latest report alleges that U.S. students “consume almost 400 billion calories from junk food sold at schools each year.” It…
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Transgenic Cow Raises Questions About FDA Approval Process
According to a recent report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists have successfully engineered a transgenic dairy cow that produces milk with decreased levels of β-lactoglobulin (BLG), a major allergen which is not present in human milk. Anower Jabed, et al., “Targeted microRNA expression in dairy cattle directs production of β-lactoglobulin-free, high-casein…
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Alleged E. Coli Injury Claims Filed in Canada
An Edmonton, Alberta, resident has filed a putative class action against a beef processor with operations in Alberta and Nebraska, alleging that he became severely ill from consuming the company’s beef, which was recalled in September 2012 due to an E. coli outbreak. Harrison v. XL Foods Inc., No. 1203-14727 (Can. Alta. Q.B., filed October…
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Class Action Against General Mills Claims GMOs Render Granola Bars Not Natural
A California resident has filed a putative class action against General Mills, Inc., alleging that its “100% Natural” labeling and advertising for products such as Nature Valley® Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunchy Granola Bars are misleading because the products contain ingredients grown from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Rojas v. General Mills, Inc., No. 12-5099 (N.D.…
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Animal Rights Group Sues Large-Scale Egg Producer
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has filed a putative class action against a large-scale, California-based egg producer alleging that it falsely represents that the eggs are laid by hens “raised in wide open spaces in Sonoma Valley.” ALDF v. Judy’s Family Farm Organic Eggs, No. ___ (Cal. Super. Ct., filed October 1, 2012). According to ALDF,…
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Court Again Rebuffs Nabisco’s Challenge to Remand Motion
A federal court in California has denied Nabisco, Inc.’s request that it reconsider a previous ruling granting a motion to remand a consumer fraud class action to state court for failing to satisfy the amount in controversy for diversity jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act. Garcia v. Nabisco, Inc., No. 12-04272 (C.D. Cal., decided September…