Some more good news

[billvon 3,132]

Not only did we get Zarquai out of the way, we now have another vaccine that could save 300,000 people a year from painful deaths:

--------------------------
Jun 8, 2006 (Reuters) — By Lisa Richwine and Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer won U.S. approval on Thursday when health officials cleared a Merck & Co. Inc. shot to block a sexually transmitted infection that causes the deadly disease.

Public health experts called the Gardasil vaccine a major advance against a disease that kills about 300,000 women worldwide annually. Industry analysts said the product also should help revive the fortunes of struggling Merck with annual sales that could top $2 billion.

The vaccine blocks infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts and most cervical cancer.

"This vaccine is a significant advance in the protection of women's health in that it strikes at the infections that are the root cause of many cervical cancers," acting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach said.

[StreetScooby 5]

That is indeed good news.

I'm concerned that America is going to legislate it's way out of our technical strengths. From biomedical (e.g., stem cells) to financial areas (e.g. Sarbanes-Oxley), the Congress is doing just that. And very effectively.

We are all engines of karma

[narcimund 0]

Not to nitpick, but this is a pretty serious oopsie in your post:

Quote

300,000 americans a year

vs.

Quote

about 300,000 women worldwide annually

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[billvon 3,132]

My mistake. Fixed in original.

[tbrown 26]

But who will punish all those women for having sex if they can't catch a deadly cancer anymore ? Somebody must've really screwed up to let this one slip through the cracks.

That's the way this administration - and Congress think about these things.

Personally I think it's great and will be enouraging my daughters to get their shots.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[masterblaster72 0]

Not really on the subject, but here is some more good news:

Quote

ALBANY, N.Y. - A crystalline Adirondack lake once held up as an example of a “dead” lake devastated by acid rain has now become a symbol of nature’s ability to heal itself once pollutants are curbed.

As the name implies, Brooktrout Lake teemed with trout before air pollution from faraway cities began to change the chemistry of lakes and soils in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. In 1984, biologists found that Brooktrout Lake and hundreds of others in the rugged region were completely devoid of fish.

Now there are signs of recovery. After the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 tightened emissions limits on Midwest coal-burning power plants, acid rain decreased significantly. As expected, the pH levels of Adirondack lakes began to rise, becoming less acidic. The surprising thing was how fast it happened.....

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[livendive 8]

Quote

Personally I think it's great and will be enouraging my daughters to get their shots.

Agreed. The CNN article says it's only been approved for females between the age of 9 and 26, which is kind of odd, but I'm glad my daughter falls into the range. I'm wondering if it's a diminishing returns kind of thing for women as they age, due to the increasing likelihood of past exposure. The article lists the potential reductions at 70% on cervical cancer cases and 90% on genital warts. Logically, it would seem that the latter will (eventually) result in fewer male infections too, as a vaccinated woman who can't get the virus also can't give it to a partner. Anyhow, given the number of women affected by HPV, those are pretty huge numbers...it should save several thousand lives a year. And for those women who wouldn't have died, 3 shots still seems like a hell of a lot less trouble than all the other stuff so many have to go through due to the virus.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Rookie120 0]

Quote

That's the way this administration - and Congress think about these things.

What th e hell are you talking about? A new drug is on the market that is about to do wonderful things and somehow you bitch about Bush. How do you put that one together.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

A new drug is on the market that is about to do wonderful things and somehow you bitch about Bush. How do you put that one together.

BWA HA HA -- BUSTED.

. . =(_8^(1)

[narcimund 0]

Quote

What th e hell are you talking about? A new drug is on the market that is about to do wonderful things and somehow you bitch about Bush. How do you put that one together.

You haven't been paying attention have you? This drug has been lambasted by the administration because -- as a potential cure for a deadly sexually transmitted disease -- it would potentially encourage promiscuity.

The Bush administration and its flunky Reginald Finger have been quite clear that 'loose' women should die of cancer.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[kallend 2,180]

Quote

Quote

A new drug is on the market that is about to do wonderful things and somehow you bitch about Bush. How do you put that one together.

BWA HA HA -- BUSTED.

I guess you have not been paying attention. Significant opposition from conservative groups, claiming the vaccine encourages moral terpitude.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

I guess you have not been paying attention. Significant opposition from conservative groups, claiming the vaccine encourages moral terpitude.

To be honest, I have not been paying attention. Opposition to this vaccine is pure idiocy. However, this from an LA Slimes article I just read:

Quote

Conservative Christian groups, which initially raised moral concerns about the vaccine, said they now welcomed it because of its health benefits, but stressed that parents shouldn't be required to have their daughters vaccinated.

. . =(_8^(1)