FDA Doesn't Do Their Homework on BPA - So Who's in Charge?

Time change is great for early morning views.


Finally truth prevails. The FDA Subcommittee did the right thing and concluded that the FDA didn't do their homework. It was a unanimous vote I might add. For the full report click: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-31-bpa-fda_N.htm . It is an excellent report and I urge you to read it.

Seems at the root of all these FDA issues is...who's in charge? The article makes reference to Andrew von Eschenbach who was appointed and heads the FDA and it is important to understand who this guy really is. His bio initially sounds good, an M.D. (no guarantee to real interest in health!), a cancer survivor but then it goes downhill with his huge links to the drug company industry. And we know what that means.

So back to the original article about the subcommittee conclusion. Von Eschenbach is doing some serious back peddling and ridiculous justifying why the FDA isn't taking a stronger stand about the dangers of BPA. He says they used the latest research ( basically a fib, oh alright...a lie) and then talks about not taking a hurried, alarming response so as to avoid reacting to every new study that comes down the pipe. Hello???? How long has BPA been reported to cause hormone disruption? Try decades? So let me get this straight, there's a fire in the building and because we're not really sure things continue to burn and can get out of control, we'll just stay inside for further evaluation? Let's remember, a lot of doctors still smoke too.

I guess it is the prerogative of any administration to appoint whom they wish. This very premise is why electing the right people for the job is so critical in all facets on our country. Think about that when you vote from here on out and forever. From Town Hall Clerk, to Mayor, to ...President. Will they appoint folks who will do the right thing? Or will they put in old buddies with agenda's and links to big money.

So, go out and VOTE. (didn't think it would go here did you?)

FDA and BPA Infighting Continues

Plunged in darkness this morning. We need that time change quickly.


The "Science Board" on the FDA evaluating BPA is going back to the chalk board for some more lessons on how to interpret real science. Someone in Milwaukee is staying on top of this issue and we should all be glad for this kind of tenacious journalism. Please read the article as it covers the highlights about the process up to now about how our government lacks the fortitude to do what it was assigned to do and that is to protect us from bad things. It also reminds us the power of outside interests and how money speaks so loudly in Washington.

In an earlier blog I commented about Dr. Philbert. For the record, Dr. Philbert who chairs the committee, a man who could possibly have a conflict of interest after receiving a 5 million dollar donation for his academic department, is not being allowed to vote on the BPA matter but being allowed to stay on. bloody #=!(@^%!

Stay tuned for the outcome... and happy Halloween.

FDA in Sticky Situation

Low level clouds, sweet birds chirping with bursts of color poking through.


The FDA relationships are just a little to cozy for me. Dr. Martin Philbert Chairs the FDA Subcommittee that is making all these recommendations of BPA, pretty serious stuff. Dr. Philbert's other hat is director of the Risk Science Center at the University of Michigan.

The FDA asks its committee members to disclose gifts so as to avoid conflict of interest. But it seems that Dr. Phillips had a memory laps or at least is sticking to the excuse that the recent 5 Million dollar donation to the UM Risk Science Center from a Mr. Gelman is no big deal because it was not a personal gift. Turns out Mr. Gelman is a supporter of BPA and poo poos all this science on BPA safety or lack of. And guess how Mr. Gelman made all his money? Making medical supply devices out of...BPA. HELLLOOOO, conflict of interest?

The links provided above tell the story. They are good reads from good newspapers with their own good links. What they can't do is jump up and down, and tell the world how ridiculous and outrageous this is - that these conflict of interests continue to infiltrate our government agencies. These are not little decisions that are being made, like a bridge repair or something. These are impacting regulations that affect all of us through the insidious chemicals in our environment, bought and paid for my big money.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal has asked for Dr. Philbert's resignation, so I'm not that off base here. If you want to do the same, here is the link to the FDA Contact page:

http://www.fda.gov/comments.html

Imagine if everyone today wrote? I just did, now its your turn.