EU has sacrificed democratic principles and rights to the maw of unprincipled Big Business/corporate interests

The EU has sacrificed democratic principles and rights to the maw of unprincipled Big Business - Corporatocracy. The power of the people to determine their government has been transferred to corporate interests.

Read article on the Corporate Europe Observatory website

Sometimes 'just' just isn't 'le mot juste'

Sometimes 'just' just isn't 'le mot juste' (the right word). The most glaring instance of this, in my opinion, is when a member of that huge group - the Uninformed and Unthinking - intones that Big Untruth, namely that "Losing weight is easy. You just have to eat less and move more." - Just say NO to that nonsense. It isn't true. It doesn't work. - Here is a safe, easy way to lose excess weight: cut down on salt and salty food.

Chile stands up against Monsanto

"On March 21, the Chilean Transparency Council stood with its citizenry against Monsanto and other global seed corporations to protect Chileans' right to know about genetically engineered (GE) crops. The Council's decision ensures that farmers, beekeepers and rural residents can find out exactly where GE crops are planted — basic information that is critically important as they seek to protect their farms, apiaries and families from toxic pesticide drift and contamination by pollen from GE plants."
Read article on the Pesticide Action Network North America website

Stem Cell Research Fraud

Ophthalmologist Peter Francis, a former 'rising star' in the medical research field in the UK, has resigned from Oregon Health and Science University's Casey Eye Institute, after "applying for two grants on the basis of fraudulent results from stem cell trials he had not carried out, the US authorities have ruled." See today's Guardian article.

Johnson and Johnson: heavy fine for misleading doctors about adverse effects of Risperdal antipsychotic

So Johnson and Johnson have been sued again, been in court again, and been fined again, as reported here by BBC News. They have been understating the seriousness of the side-effects of Risperdal anti-psychotic, and a fine of $1.1bn (£690m) makes clear the gravity of the offence. Pharmaceutical drug companies are notorious for their practice of avoiding giving information about the potential harm their products can cause. But sizable fines like this one do not deter them from repeating the offending behaviour. Why is this? - Well it's because these large fines make little dent in their huge profits . And even more pertinently, corporate fines do not deter the individuals largely responsible for the harmful misinformation. This is a feature of most white-collar crime, and it is perhaps the main reason the criminal practices continue. The personnel who profit so handsomely with massive salaries clearly feel no moral qualms at the horrifying and needless suffering they inflict on the innocent patients/victims who take their vile meds. Risperdal "increased the risk of strokes and death in elderly dementia patients, could lead to seizures, major weight gain, onset of diabetes and potentially fatal high blood sugar."

If you click on the Johnson and Johnson label beneath this post, you will bring up other instances of J & J's corrupt business practices. The guilty individuals should have to appear in the criminal court, where they could receive a prison sentence appropriate to the gravity of the damage their dangerous drugs have inflicted.This would be far more effective in curbing the excesses of the drug companies.

Stephen Cave on Sunday Radio 4 Easter Day

I listened to the Sunday programme on Radio 4 today as I often do, and was particularly interested in what Stephen Cave had to say in a discussion about resurrection and immortality. The four routes to immortality he speaks of are routes that have perhaps occurred to all of us during our lives and we may hold firm beliefs in the matter. On this Easter Day, when I like to think that we can all renew our efforts to transform our lives for the good, Stephen Cave's look at Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How it Drives Civilization may be a book to consider putting onto our reading lists.

More Saying No to Monsanto

Opposition to biotech giant Monsanto growing worldwide, new report shows
A new report by civil society organisations shows that around the world small-holder and organic farmers, local communities and social movements are increasingly resisting and rejecting Monsanto, and the agro-industrial model that it represents. The new report, jointly produced by La Via Campesina, Friends of the Earth International and Combat Monsanto - available in English, French and Spanish - provides snapshots of frontline struggles against Monsanto and other agrochemical corporations pushing genetically modified (GM) crops onto farmers and into the environment.
Read press release on the Friends of the Earth International website

Dr Le Fanu draws attention to problems with regard to drugs prescribed for elderly hospital patients

Dr Le Fanu draws attention to problems with regard to drugs prescribed for elderly hospital patients to take when they leave hospital, particularly if they have memory or cognitive impairment, which, he reminds us, "can be caused or exacerbated by medication, particularly the cholesterol-lowering statins."