I posted about this last week. Tom Faranda’s Folly: The FDA and cancer drug testing The FDA went against past form and approved the drug – Breast Cancer Reprieve – WSJ.com Avastin shouldn’t have been controversial. But an FDA panel ruled that "progression-free survival" was not sufficient, because the agency’s usual acid test for anticancer … Read more
Forbes magazine current issue cover story is entitled Bad Medicine. It looks at hospital care in general, with particular emphasis on competition between the large general hospitals, and so-called "specialty" hospitals that may offer limited services, like cardiac care, or hip and knee replacement. It’s an enlightening feature. Forbes website is free, buy you may … Read more
The magazine he founded has a bunch of remembrances. National Review Online And here’s the NY Times – William F. Buckley Jr. Is Dead at 82 – New York Times Mr. Buckley’s greatest achievement was making conservatism — not just electoral Republicanism, but conservatism as a system of ideas — respectable in liberal post-World War … Read more
The NY Times had an analysis this morning – China, in New Role, Presses Sudan on Darfur – New York Times KHARTOUM, Sudan — Amid the international outrage over the bloodshed in Darfur, frustration has increasingly turned toward China, Sudan’s biggest trading partner and international protector, culminating in Steven Spielberg’s decision last week to withdraw … Read more
Here’s an editorial from the Wall Street Journal this morning on approval of drugs for cancer treatment; specifically Avastin for breast cancer. Yesterday the Journal had a news feature article on this controversy (not available for free online). If the link doesn’t work the first time, try again – eventually it goes through – A … Read more
This article appeared in Forbes almost three months ago – I meant to post it and am only just getting around to it. To read the whole article you may have to register with Forbes, but it’s free. Despite a great deal of research, the relationship between nutrition and cancer – and fighting/preventing cancer – … Read more
From Christianity Today – a small rise in the number of people against capital punishment Capital Doubts | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction While the issue before the Supreme Court is narrow, the national mood on capital punishment itself seems to be shifting. New Jersey became the 14th state to outlaw executions … Read more
This from the NY Times health section yesterday. Some of the stuff is obvious (don’t smoke, etc), but there’s enough new information, or twists on old stuff, to make it a worthwhile quick read. Gentlemen, 5 Easy Steps to Living Long and Well – New York Times “The take-home message,” said Dr. Laurel B. Yates, … Read more
The travails of being 14 years old. Yesterday Joe decided to try his hand at scrambled eggs and bacon for himself, Tim, and Brigid. (I passed; still suffering from gastritis.) According to Brigid, he had to crack eight eggs – he kept missing dropping them in the bowl. Also forgot to add a little milk … Read more
Was put down for the count for the past thirty-six hours by a gastric issue. It was a follow-up to a business dinner Friday evening. enough said.