Philosophy
"Human Papillomavirus Vaccination — Reasons for Caution"
by
Charlotte J. Haug, M.D., Ph.D.
August 21st, 2008
The New England Journal of Medicine
Despite great expectations and promising results of clinical trials, we still lack sufficient evidence of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer. Several strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, and two vaccines directed against the currently most important oncogenic strains (i.e., the HPV-16 and HPV-18 serotypes) have been developed. That is the good news. The bad news is that the overall effect of the vaccines on cervical cancer remains unknown.
Read more...
Full text
The efficacy of this drug is unproven despite Merck claiming thousands of clinical trials. In this case, where it takes decades for cervical cancer to become manifest, this may be a "cash cow" marketing wonder where even some states are making mandatory vaccinations. And too boot, serious sides effects are common including reported deaths.
I would not give this drug to my daughter.
- Imperfect Evidence And Information For The Public
Dr. Richard Ablin, the medical researcher who discovered the prostate specific antigen in 1970, wrote an op/ed in The New York Times a couple weeks ago in which he argues that we are wating a tremendous amount of money on PSA tests for men. There is a...
- Merv Griffin And Prostate Cancer
Sad news today. Merv Griffin died yesterday of prostate cancer. Originally diagnosed in 1996 and treated, the cancer came back and claimed the life of the famed talk show host and brain behind Jeopardy among many other great game shows. Prostate cancer...
- Dormant, Not Dead
"Who to blame for flu? Maybe the U.S., study finds" by Maggie Fox and Peter Cooney May 27th, 2010 Reuters The United States may provide an incubating ground for some flu strains, helping them migrate to warmer climates, U.S. researchers said on Thursday....
- Scientific Research...more Ethics
"Ethics experts call for refocus of scientific review to ensure integrity of research process" May 13th, 2010 PHYSORG.COM In a paper published this week in the journal Science, experts caution that important ethical issues in the testing of new therapies...
- Rapamycin And Longevity
Methuselah Juan Ponce de León's dream in medications? I guess this quest will never go away. The ethics still remain though. "Longevity pill on the horizon?" by Leila Gray July 10th, 2009 University of Washington UW scientists Dr. Matt Kaeberlein,...
Philosophy
Bioethics and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
"Human Papillomavirus Vaccination — Reasons for Caution"
by
Charlotte J. Haug, M.D., Ph.D.
August 21st, 2008
The New England Journal of Medicine
Despite great expectations and promising results of clinical trials, we still lack sufficient evidence of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer. Several strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, and two vaccines directed against the currently most important oncogenic strains (i.e., the HPV-16 and HPV-18 serotypes) have been developed. That is the good news. The bad news is that the overall effect of the vaccines on cervical cancer remains unknown.
Read more...
Full text
The efficacy of this drug is unproven despite Merck claiming thousands of clinical trials. In this case, where it takes decades for cervical cancer to become manifest, this may be a "cash cow" marketing wonder where even some states are making mandatory vaccinations. And too boot, serious sides effects are common including reported deaths.
I would not give this drug to my daughter.
- Imperfect Evidence And Information For The Public
Dr. Richard Ablin, the medical researcher who discovered the prostate specific antigen in 1970, wrote an op/ed in The New York Times a couple weeks ago in which he argues that we are wating a tremendous amount of money on PSA tests for men. There is a...
- Merv Griffin And Prostate Cancer
Sad news today. Merv Griffin died yesterday of prostate cancer. Originally diagnosed in 1996 and treated, the cancer came back and claimed the life of the famed talk show host and brain behind Jeopardy among many other great game shows. Prostate cancer...
- Dormant, Not Dead
"Who to blame for flu? Maybe the U.S., study finds" by Maggie Fox and Peter Cooney May 27th, 2010 Reuters The United States may provide an incubating ground for some flu strains, helping them migrate to warmer climates, U.S. researchers said on Thursday....
- Scientific Research...more Ethics
"Ethics experts call for refocus of scientific review to ensure integrity of research process" May 13th, 2010 PHYSORG.COM In a paper published this week in the journal Science, experts caution that important ethical issues in the testing of new therapies...
- Rapamycin And Longevity
Methuselah Juan Ponce de León's dream in medications? I guess this quest will never go away. The ethics still remain though. "Longevity pill on the horizon?" by Leila Gray July 10th, 2009 University of Washington UW scientists Dr. Matt Kaeberlein,...