Off The Line
Nestlé to buy Body ShopThe Body Shop, long known for its image as an ethically-conscious company and its stance against animal testing, has accepted a takeover bid from cosmetics giant L’Oréal. L’Oréal is partly owned by Nestlé, which has a 26 per cent stake in the company. Nestlé is the target of the world’s largest international consumer boycott because of its aggressive and unethical marketing of infant formula. Many consumers around the world refuse to buy any of the company’s products until it ceases to endanger the health and lives of infants. Should the Body Shop be taken over by L’Oréal, any purchase of a Body Shop product would profit Nestlé. As such, the Body Shop will be added to the list of boycotted brands by INFACT Canada and ethical consumers everywhere.Source: www.infactcanada.ca The Hydraulic PenisDr. John R. Taylor, co-author of two anatomical studies of the prepuce, has for several years been using an Internet survey to investigate the reflex properties of the penis. Dr. Taylor theorizes that contrary to common opinion, the glans penis has evolved to respond to internal hydraulic pressure, rather than to tactile stimulation.The essence of Dr. Taylor’s theory is that stretching the ridged band of the prepuce triggers contraction of the bulbocavernosus (“bulb”) muscle, the muscle involved in ejaculation. Bulb muscle contraction in turn generates a pulse wave that travels to the glans. The glans expands in response to the raised internal pressure, and receptors in the corona trigger secondary contraction of the bulb muscle. Dr. Taylor’s theory explains why ejaculation can be delayed by pinching the tip of the glans. Compression of the glans interferes with the propagation of the pulse wave, blocking the secondary reflex bulb muscle contraction. Dr. Taylor summarizes his research at http://research.cirp.org/news1.html A retired pathologist with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Taylor has also co-authored several papers on the anatomy of the heart, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. If it comes out that way, it probably is supposed to be that wayA study showed that the premature removal of vernix from healthy, full term infants can contribute to the potentially devastating effects of microbial infection. Researchers analyzed samples of both amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa, in an effort to determine their immune properties and potential role in a newborn’s health. Their conclusions determined that common birthing and post-birth procedures may inhibit the infant’s natural abilities to stave off infection. It is well known that the routine artificial rupture of membranes increases the possibility of intrauterine infection due to the removal of the physical barrier (amniotic sac). Their study also suggests that keeping the amniotic sac intact allows baby to remain bathed in amniotic fluid, where it benefits from antimicrobial proteins that are found in both the fluid and the vernix. Early bathing of the baby removes vernix, which contains antimicrobial proteins that are active against Group B Streptococcus and E. Coli. Delaying the bath and keeping the newborn together with the mother until breastfeeding is established may prevent some cases of infections caused by these bacteria. The fact that preterm babies tend to have more vernix than babies born at full-term might mean that healthy, stable pre-term babies derive even greater benefit from staying with their mothers during the immediate postpartum period.Circumcision is losing favour in CanadaAccording to the Association of Genital Integrity and Statistics Canada, the national average of male infant circumcisions has dropped from 47.4% in 1973 to 13.9% in 2003. In most parts of Canada, parents who still wish to have their sons circumcised must pay for the procedure. Manitoba is the only province that still covers circumcisions under their provincial health care program.
Basic facts: Infant male circumcision is an irreversible surgical operation. It is not medically required. Performing an irreversible, medically unnecessary operation on a minor is generally viewed as a breach of medical ethics. Medically unnecessary surgery on female genitals is expressly prohibited by the Criminal Code of Canada. Source for chart and info: www.courtchallenge.com/refs/yr99p-e.html, The Association for Genital Integrity. --Antimicrobial Properties of Amniotic Fluid and Vernix Caseosa Are Similar to Those Found in Breast Milk (2004). Host defense proteins in vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191 (6), 2090-2096. | Diaper Free Bottoms ExposedElimination communication (“EC”) seems to be gaining the attention of the media more and more. EC is a new term, for an age old practice in many parts of the world (Asia, Africa & South America) where mothers learn to identify their infants’ cues for elimination. In these areas, mothers normally wear their infants in slings, and when the need to eliminate is present, the children are held out at arms length and allowed to follow nature’s call. This alternative to diapering means that parents learn to identify when their children need to go to the toilet. EC supporters and practitioners comment that adopting this lifestyle is about respect for the infant and meeting their needs to be dry and comfortable. It is about communicating and bonding with the child. It is about ecology and economy. Resources abound on the subject. There are several books available as well as websites, and a diaper-free support group with chapters in 14 countries, 38 US states, and 10 Canadian cities.
Got Milk?Recent coverage of a mother, who was dependant on donated human milk for the survival of her son, brings to light the need for better resources of breast milk for infants. The Vancouver mother wondered what would have been the fate of her son, had she not lived in the only Canadian city with an organized Milk Bank. The milk bank, run out of the BC Women’s Hospital, provides supplies to mothers who cannot produce enough milk on their own for reasons including illness or being on medication. At one point, Canada boasted 23 milk banks, but concerns and scandals about the potential safety of donated milk shut 22 of those banks down. Vancouver’s milk bank however, addresses these concerns head on by way of pasteurizing and testing the breast milk, as well as extensive screening of potential donors. Screening includes blood tests, a written questionnaire and an interview with a registered nurse. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months for healthy, term infants. Yet, many mothers are unable to meet the nursing needs of their children due to stress, lack of support and limited breastfeeding resources. Perhaps with the support of lactation consultants and nursing mothers across the country, milk banks can be reestablished, in order to provide a safe resource for mothers and their infants.
Violence in children’s cartoons surpasses that of adult television.The Parents’ Television Council found an average of 6.3 dark, violent incidents per hour of children’s summer, daytime programming. This surpassed the number of violent incidents found in prime time programming aimed at adults. A total of 2794 incidents were catalogued during 444 hours of kids’ television, during the 2002 study. Violent cartoons can increase children’s anxiety and can result in the desensitization to violence in real life. It can skew their perspective that violent acts are more prevalent and acceptable in real life than what is actually tolerated. It was also noted that networks have allowed children’s programming to contain more potty humour and mean-spirited name-calling. Some networks responded to the criticisms by touting the rigorous review process their programming undergoes, and that they believe that what is aired is age-appropriate and suitable for their intended viewers.
Tax on Junk FoodThe head of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, has suggested a tax on junk food, to help combat childhood obesity. A so-called “Fat Tax” has been suggested by several other organizations, including the World Health Organization. The thought is that a tax on foods that do not promote a healthy lifestyle will inhibit their purchase and consumption – much like the high tax on cigarettes is used as a deterrent for smoking. Canada has the second-highest rate of preschool obesity in the world (after China) and has dropped into the bottom third of OECD countries for child mortality. As recently as the 80’s, Canada was ranked in the top third, so the drop in rank is significant and shows what little attention has been focused on our children’s health.
Nestlé Scientist’s False Claims Exposed by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)For three consecutive nights, Canadian TV featured an exposé of Canadian scientist, Dr Ranjit Chandra, whose falsified research was used by Nestlé to promote its infant formulas. Dr Chandra has now fled from Canada to Switzerland.In the late 1980’s Nestlé launched an infant formula that the company claimed could “reduce our child’s risk of developing allergies”. Since that time, INFACT Canada supported by Baby Milk Action and IBFAN groups has questioned the validity of research by Dr. Chandra who Nestlé paid to conduct studies to justify its claims. Much of Dr. Chandra’s work has now come under intense scrutiny for academic fraud and at least one of his studies has been completely discredited. According to the CBC documentary, it now appears the Nestlé study was never even conducted and Chandra could not produce raw data when challenged. For full stories with links to the text and video clips of the programme, visit: ~ World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), Issue 39, Nov 05 – Feb 06 |
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