Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1997)
. ■ . . .*♦-.** * l x - ’x t Japanese experience "Mad Cow" disease Dozens of Japanese brain surgery patients died from a rare contagion linked to “mad cow” disease after Japanese health officials failed to act on a U.S. warning, a newspaper re ported Tuesday. Theofficialswereawareofa 1987 warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the deadly dis ease could be contracted from trans plants of the tissue that covers the brain and upper spinal column, the newspaper Mainichi said. Although the warning was trans lated into Japanese by the end of 1987, officials at the Health and Welfare Ministry failed to ensure the safety of transplants or imports of the tissue, called dura matter. The newspaper quoted Takeshi Kitamura, former director of Japan' s National Institute of Health, as say ing he told ministry officials of the w arning in 1987. The health ministry’s own research now indi cates infected dura matter is the most likely cause of 43 cases of mad cow disease since 1985. Most victims of the disease were infected after the FDA issued its warning, Kitamura said. Japanese officials did not recall the products listed in the FDA warn ing until last month, the Mainichi said. The delay, it said, was partly due to assurances by a German ex porter named in the FDA warning that its products were safe. No one answered the telephones at the ministry after business hours Tuesday. Mad cow disease causes the brain to shrink, leading to progressive dementia, paralysis and usually death. kidney disease,” he says. “We know that early detection and intervention may help prevent the onset of kidney failure and save lives.” Because African-Americans have high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and as a result, have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, a special effort has been made to recruit African-Americans for the screening program. African- Americans represent about 30 per cent of the US population. Participants in the screening will have their weight and blood pressure measured and will be given a com plete health risk appraisal, which includes questions about current health status, health history and fam ily health history. They will also receive educational materials about preventing and treat ing kidney disease, high blood pres sure and diabetes. Medical profes sionals will collect blood and urine samples from individuals who re quire further testing for kidney dis ease. In many cases, kidney failure can be prevented or delayed through Folks who are nearsighted may soon have an alternative to glasses, contacts and laser surgery to correct their vi sion. Tiny, transparent rings im planted into the cornea are currently being tested. T he p la stic rin g s are slightly thicker than a contact lens and are designed to be education, early intervention, and propertreatment. The National Kid ney Foundation o f Oregon and Southwest Washington urges indi viduals identified in these risk groups to attend the free screen ings to learn how improving or maintaining their level of health, as well as getting proper medical at tention when necessary, may help prevent or delay the onset of kid ney disease. To make an appoint ment for the screening, call the National Kidney Foundation of Or egon and Southwest Washington at 282-0990. The National Kidney founda tion is the major voluntary health agency seeking the total answer to diseases of the kidney and urinary tract. The National Kidney Foun dation of Oregon and Southwest Washington is one of 51 Affiliates across the country bringing help and hope to the millions of Ameri cans who suffer from kidney dis ease, through research, patient ser vices, organ transplant programs, professional education and public information. A Star (Research Park) is born A science and research park at the heart of Washington County’s high- tech region known as Sunset Corri dor became reality this week with the incorporation of members. Science, Technology and Re search Park (STAR Park) includes the Oregon Health Sciences Univer sity (OHSU), Oregon Regional Pri mate Research Center (ORPRC), Oregon Graduate Institute, Center for Advanced Partnerships in Tech nology and Learning (CAPITAL Center), Washington County ESD, Oregon State System of H igher Edu cation, Portland Community College, and Wells Fargo Bank. "STAR Park will be a unifying force in this community of shared interests,” said P. Michael Conn, Ph D., who has been guiding its for mation. “The Park will allow partner institutions to pool resources in the pursuit of research, educational and technological interests and will serve as a catalyst for the emergence of new biotechnology companies.” Conn, who is Associate Director of the Primate Research Center and Special Assistant to the President of OHSU, foresees that some o f OHSU’s anticipated growth will oc cur at STAR Park. “Dr. (Peter) Kohler (President of OHSU) has indicated that while most of OHSU’s expan sion will take place in Portland, it may be appropriate to locate certain facilities close to the Primate Center, which is an OHSU affiliate.” U •S ome • -Y 7- *• / • The cloning of an adult sheep by Scottish scientists is a fundamental advance in biology that the public must understand and scientists must explain, the director of the National Science Foundation said Tuesday. “The American public does not have a good grounding for the immi nent debate about cloning,” said Dr Neal Lane, who heads the principal federal agency for dispensing gen eral science research grants. "And the science and engineering com munity does not have a good ground ing in dialogue with the public about the science.. “As a civilization, we cannot af ford for this situation to continue,” he added. By creating a new adult animal, a sheep named Dolly, from the cells of another adult animal, said Lane, it is likely that a whole new chapter in biology will be opened, with poten permanent. But they can be removed if better, cheaper procedures are developed or if wearers don’t like them. Tests are under way at ten health centers pending Food and Drug Administration ap proval. The rings could help about 20 million adults who have mild nearsightedness. • «♦ ( . * • 1 tial health, medical and economic benefits.’ Speaking at the National Press Club, he warned that the cloning discovery is a double-edged sword that “may well outstrip or violate society’s definition of what consti tutes our concept of human indi viduality.” This new science, said Lane, de mands extensive public discussion and requires scientists to give care ful, clear explanations of what clon ing and other discoveries mean and how they might affect society. “As a society, let us not be naysayers about new knowledge, nor timid about technology, ’ said Lane. “But let us not shirk the societal responsibility for their use and mis use.” Science is neither good nor evil, he said. The good or evil is in how it is used. FDA approves Redux for obesity The Food and Drug Administra tion said Monday it continues to monitor the cases of patients experi encing side effects while taking the anti-obesity drug Redux, but says thus far there have been no unex pected findings. “The data to date regarding Redux do not raise any red flags,” said agency spokesman Don McLeSm. The agency’s comment came af ter The Associated Press reported Friday that many scientists question why the government has let Redux sell so long without having the manu facturer, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, study a possible brain-damaging side effect. The FDA approved Redux for sale a year ago, and that study is expected to begin soon, the agency says. The AP also reported Friday that some critics fear the potent drug is being inappropriately prescribed to many Americans, including those not severely overweight. The FDA said Monday that it had provided incorrect information to the AP about one specific case cited in the story, the death of a woman who had been prescribed Redux. The woman weighed 220 pounds, not 120 pounds as it had said earlier, the FDA said. The agency also dis closed Monday, based on further information provided by Wyeth- Ayerst Laboratories, that the woman also had been taking an anti-anxiety drug. A local coroners’ inquest deter mined she had very high levels of that anti-anxiety drug in her body when she died, and ruled the death was a homicide, not an accidental death or suicide. Local and state of ficials continue to investigate the death and no criminal charges have been filed. The company that developed Redux, Intemeuron Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Wyeth-Ayerst Laborato ries reiterated on Monday their posi tion that scientific evidence has shown Redux to be safe when used as recommended. Initial data collected about pa tients reveal “no evidence indicating a higher-than-expected occurrence of adverse events related to the cen tral nervous system,” the companies said in a joint statement. The FDA examines all reports of adverse reactions among patients taking prescription drugs, such as Redux. To date, it has received notifica tion of 18 deaths of patients who had been taking Redux, including three suicides, and is examining all those cases, said McLeam, the agency spokesman. The FDA said tint, based on in formation collected thus far, it had not noted any side-effect patterns inconsistent with what its scientific advisers expected when the agency approved Redux. The FDA insists that only the se verely obese try Redux, because its users have 23 times the average risk of a rare but often fatal lung ailment called primary pulmonary hyperten sion. Yet, recent side-effect reports sent to the agency listed weights for just 27 of 51 patients - and 14 were below the government weight guidelines for use of the drug, the FDA says. In addition, the FDA approved Redux on the condition that Wyeth- Ayerst study whether the drug dam ages the human brain cells that pro duce serotonin. Previous studies in mice, rats, monkeys and baboons show that high doses destroy those cells - raising fears of side effects such as depression if the same thing happens to people. The study of effects on human brain cells is expected to start soon, the FDA says. b o o - b o o s , a kiss can ' t fix . Polio. Measles. Diphtheria. Whooping Cough. The fact is, once a child contracts a scary disease like this, there's not much a par ent can do. It's up to the doctors. And fate. Which makes it inconceivable that 33% of Oregon children still aren't fully immunized by the age of two. Yes, School Law requires they be immu nized by kindergarten. But unfortunately, that law also creates the perception that it's okay to wait until then. People don't realize that wait ing puts their infants at risk, llnimmunized infants are not protected. Therefore, they are more likely to get diseases and to have severe side effects from them. Truth is, 80% of all vaccines can be given by age two. Safely. All it takes is four quick vis its to the doctor. Meaning you must follow through with all the shots. They don't have to cost a lot either. Most important, don't be afraid to ask your doctor, nurse practitioner or health depart ment questions. And keep track of your child's immunization schedule. After all, the one who can best tike care of your baby is you. “STAR Park will be a unifying force in this community of shared interests” STAR Park comprises some 350 acres. It boasts a current employee head count of 1,750 and a current weekly student population of 3,200. Among the park's immediate goals are to develop a common mas ter plan and work for the improve ment of local transit and transporta tion. STAR Park is the second such research park in Oregon. The first, which received its impetus from former governor, Neil Goldschmidt, is the Riverfront Research Park in Eugene. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has promised “very aggressive sup port" for the Hillsboro newcomer. • J - r n Understanding clones New surgery may help the nearsighted R e e Health Screeningsto KEEP You and Your Family Healthy The National Kidney Founda tion o f Oregon and Southwest Washington will conduct a free health screening for people at an increased risk for kidney disease, particularly those with diabetes or high blood pressure or with a par ent, grandparent or sibling who has high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney failure. The screen ing, to be held on May 24, 1997, from 8 am to 6 pm, at Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knot, is part of the foundation’s new Kid ney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP). “Diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure are the leading caused of kidney failure for the more than 250,000 Americans who require regular treatment on a di alysis machine,” according to Ri chard Drake, MD, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation of Or egon and Southwest Washington’s Medical Advisory Board. “By tar geting people who have these con ditions themselves or in their fam ily we hope to identify more indi viduals who are at increased risk of M l * FREE IMMUNIZATIONS AVAILABLE APRIL 2 0 -2 6 . For more information about free clinics in your area call your local health department or 1-800-SAFENEr (1-800-723-3638) or in the Portland Metro area call 306-5858. Bring your child's immunization record to the free clinic. Call your local health department to see if chickenpox vaccine will be available. I M M II N I N G M 1 H I MAR
