|
India Thinkers Net Archives Index
|
Subscribe
|
|
| << October11, 2006 - [India Thinkers Net] Observe World Mental Health Day |
October14, 2006 - [India Thinkers Net]Conference on equality ,Disarmament,Tharoor etc >> |
|
[1] From: Jagannath Chatterjee <jagchat01@yahoo.com> Date: Wed Oct 11, 2006 Subject: US doctors issue fresh warning on vaccines - who's listening? Guillain-Barre Syndrome After Vaccination in United States Newswise (press release) Released: Mon 09-Oct-2006, 00:00 ET Click here for the URL: Source: American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Newswise — Although vaccines have reduced morbidity and mortality from many infections, several cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been reported following vaccination. A team of medical researchers at the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center set out to determine the occurrence and characteristics of GBS after isolated reports of the syndrome were found in patients who had received vaccinations. GBS is an inflammatory disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used at all and, when severe, the patient is almost totally paralyzed. The research data was obtained from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) which is a cooperative program for vaccine safety of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The VAERS is a post-marketing safety surveillance program, collecting information about possible side effects that occur after administration of United States licensed vaccines. There were 54 cases of GBS reported after vaccination in the United States in 2004. The number of vaccine related cases constituted 0.1% of the total admissions for GBS in the United States. Of the 54 cases studied, Guillain-Barre syndrome was observed in 57% of the patients who had received an influenza vaccine, followed by 22 % of the patients who had received a hepatitis vaccine either as a single vaccine or in combination with other vaccines. In the same study group, 11% of the patients with GBS had received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in combination with other vaccines, with the remaining study cases having received haemophilis B conjugate vaccine, tetanus and diphtheria toxoid, or typhoid vaccine. Up to 20 % of the patients developed GBS after receiving more than one type of vaccine. According to Dr. Nizar Souayah, lead investigator and Assistant Professor of Neurology, New Jersey Medical School, “The benefits of receiving vaccinations far outnumber the risks. Few studies had been attempted to address the relationship between vaccination and GBS and most had focused only on the influenza vaccine. It is important to determine which vaccines may be associated with GBS.” The results of the study suggest that vaccines other than influenza can be associated with GBS. The complete findings and results of the study are being presented at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) 53rd Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, at the Marriott Wardman Park, October 11-14, 2006. The AANEM is the largest organization worldwide, with over 5000 members, dedicated to advancing neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and electrodiagnostic medicine. ------------------- [2] From: Sukla Sen <suklasen@yahoo.com Date: Wed Oct 11, 2006 Subject: Nuke Test by N. Korea There must be a collective response to this disturbing development. Any nuclear weapon test, by whoever, is unfortunate and condemnable. It makes the world even more dangerous, drags it still closer to the precipice. Tests, or such acts, by the old powers reinforce the notion that nuclear weapons are highly prized currency of global power. In case of the newcomers it strengthens the dangerous myth of 'deterrence'. The Communist Party of Philippines, an underground Maoist outfit, has hailed the (puny or failed?) test specifically on this ground. The discriminatory nuclear regime that is in place, where the old powers would urge and make rules to make others desist from acquiring it while doing nothing to disarm themselves, only encourages others to gatecrash. The grossly unfair practice of encouraging and even rewarding one deviant, e. g. India, or Israel or Pakistan, while chastising and punishing another (potential?) deviant like Iran, or N. Korea, on the ground of political preference is also a major driver. Lastly, one can no longer keep one's eyes closed to the close links between nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Facilities for nuclear power production are just not the necessary stepping-stones towards the weapon; these also constantly operate as motivators. The 'New Nukes' illustrate it only too graphically. All these points need be properly captured in a coherent global response. A call to immediately resurrect the 13 Practical Steps decided upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, at the minimum, be also preferably considered. There are various other alternatives. But the fact that (almost) all the concerned players had already committed to these steps, that too only about six years back, makes such a demand look all the more attractive. Sukla -------------------- [3] From: rkurian@bgl.vsnl.net.in Date: Wed Oct 11, 2006 1 Subject: My Starving Friend.. My Starving Friend By Sarah Saba http://www.countercurrents.org/ipk-saba111006.htm One of my intellectual friends, who is a famous researcher, author of a number of books and numerous research articles, with years??™ of committed and selfless struggle to bring about peace in the society is simply starving with his small family ----------------- [4] From: rkurian@bgl.vsnl.net.in Date: Wed Oct 11, 2006 Subject: Socialism Is Alive and Well..in Vietnam. Socialism Is Alive and Well ... in Vietnam By Frank Joyce, AlterNet Posted on October 11, 2006, Printed on October 11, 2006 http://www.alternet.org/story/42826/ Vietnam is mentioned in the news quite often these days. But the references are almost always in relation to Iraq. What's not being covered is what's going on in Vietnam itself -- which is unfortunate, because economically, politically and socially, it might just be the most interesting and inspiring nation on the planet. In the interest of full disclosure, my affection for Vietnam goes way back. As an anti-war activist I met with Vietnamese liaisons to the anti-war movement on several occasions. In 1970 I visited Hanoi and was profoundly impressed with the character and resolve of the people, not to mention the beauty of the country itself. Even then, during wartime, the food was terrific, too. It still is, as I discovered earlier this year when I returned to Vietnam. The people are open, friendly and confident, just as they were before. But now, not only is the war over, Vietnam is the second-fastest-growing economy in the world. (China is first.) The standard of living of millions of people is improving at a rapid pace. -------------- [5] URGENT PRESS STATEMENT 11 OCTOBER 2006 Dalit aspirations, particularly of Christians of Scheduled Caste origin, trapped in cruel time web woven by Government, Mishra Commission and Apex Court Statement issued on behalf of the All India Catholic Union, the All India Christian Council and the United Christian Action on Supreme Court adjournment of PIL hearing: The aspirations, and the future, of tens of million's of India's Dalits, particularly those of the 16 million Christians of Scheduled Caste origin, have been cruelly trapped in an official time web woven by the Central Government and the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission and played out before the Apex Court. The Supreme Court of India today adjourned by a mammoth six months [till April 2007] hearings in the Public Interest Litigation demanding full civil rights and legal protection for all Dalits, irrespective of the relgion they profess. At present, under the obnoxious Presidential Order of 1950, these rights, including reservation in government employment and educational institutions, are given only to those Dalits professing the Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist religions. If Dalits convert to Christianity or Islam, these rights are snatched away from them. They lose their government jobs, places in political institutions and other benefits given under affirmative action programmes of the government. As soon as the court of Chief Justice Sabbharwal took up the issue, which was the first item on the agenda, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian sought an adjournment saying that the Justice Mishra Commission, which was belatedly given the job of ascertaining if Dalit Christians deserved these rights, had sought an extension to submit its report, earlier due by the end of October 2006. It is understood that the Commission has sought six more months to file its report. Public Interest Litigation Centre counsel Prashant Bhushan pleaded with the Apex Court to allow him to argue the matter without waiting for the Commission, whose report was extraneous to the issue. The Court however adjourned the matter till April next year [2007]. Since earlier this year, all hearings on the PIL have been adjourned waiting for the Misra Commission to submit its report. Dalit groups, including those who have given evidence before the Mishra Commission and others who are also joint plaintiffs in the Supreme Court, have repeatedly cast doubts on the proceedings of the Mishra Commission and specially the role of its member secretary and retired IAS officer Ms Asha Das. The Commission went out of its way to invite Hindutva groups and others opposed to Christians and Muslims to come and give evidence against the Dalits. At one time, police had to be called in at the Tata Institutive of Social Sciences in Mumbai when the Hindutva elements threatened the organizers. Christian social scientists and activists at the meeting questioned the adversarial and tainted proceedings which tended to coerce and victimize them. Efforts are also apparently afoot to pit the recently bifurcated National Commission for Scheduled Castes against the Christians of Scheduled Caste origin. The fact that the Central Government and its Ministry of Welfare seem involved in creating this nefarious time trap is most disturbing. We urge Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance which rules in New Delhi, and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to look into this matter and direct the Commission to submit its report on this issue without further loss of time. Such long delays can mean the death of the hopes of millions of young men and women for a bright future in a democratic India which runs on the rule of law. Issued to the media by: Dr. John Dayal Member: National Integration Council Government of India National President: All India Catholic Union (Founded 1919) Secretary General: All India Christian Council (Founded 1999) President: United Christian Action, Delhi (Founded 1992) Member, Justice and Peace Commission Archdiocese of Delhi 505 Link, 18 IP Extension, Delhi 110092 India Email: johndayal@vsnl.com Phone: 91-11-22722262 Mobile 09811021072 -------------------- [6] From: "Aditya Mishra" <aditya11@sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed Oct 11, 2006 Subject: Afzal's apologists rebuked by SC http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/11sc.htm SC quashes AP governor's pardon for convict October 11, 2006 12:30 IST Last Updated: October 11, 2006 13:47 IST The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that while granting pardon, the President or a governor must take into consideration the impact of such clemency on the families of the victims also. The judgment is important because the mercy petition of the convicted mastermind of the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament Mohammad Afzal Guru is pending with President A P J Abdul Kalam. A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, overturning a pardon granted by the governor of Andhra Pradesh to a convict in a murder case, said, ''Pardon obtained by fraud or granted by mistake will invite judicial review.'' The then Andhra governor Sushil Kumar Shinde had pardoned Congress activist Gowru Venkata Reddy, who was convicted in a murder case. The court also said the rule of law was supreme. The court also ruled that grant of clemency was not an act of grace but a matter of performance of official duty. And if it is based on a political or an irrelevant consideration, then such an exercise is in derogation of the constitutional authority given under article 72 or 161. The court, however, permitted governors to reconsider decisions taking into consideration the material placed before them. The mercy petition of Afzal Guru may be affected by the judgment. Political leaders and activists have been trying to create pressure to seek clemency for him. But the families of the policemen, who were killed in the attack, are strongly opposed to pardoning him. UNI ------------------ |
|
| << October11, 2006 - [India Thinkers Net] Observe World Mental Health Day |
October14, 2006 - [India Thinkers Net]Conference on equality ,Disarmament,Tharoor etc >> |
|
India Thinkers Net Archives Index
|
Subscribe
|
|
|
Archives powered by Zinester's Mailing List Service
Details on India Thinkers Net |
Browse for more newsletters at Zinester's Ezine Directory
Managed by Zinester's Mailing List Management |