good medicine - winter 2005

Good Medicine® From the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine / Winter 2005 / Vol. XIV, No.1

Count the animals in this picture

PCRM Develops World’s First Cruelty-Free Insulin Assay

The 20 Most Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Extreme Makeover: One Scientist’s Story

PCRM 2004: The Year in Review

Sowing Veggie Seeds in School Foodservice

Listening to Vioxx: Animal Tests Mislead

2 GOOD MEDICINE Winter 2005

In this issue, we describe PCRM’s development of a new test for serum insulin that goes beyond the animal-derived tests currently in use. The process of developing this test

confirmed an important lesson for me. Three years ago, as we were developing a research study to compare a low-fat vegan diet to a more standard diet for people with diabetes, I decided we needed a better test to measure insulin in our research participants. Now, common tests for insulin are based on laboratory techniques that are rather crude from a scientific standpoint and cruel from an ethical standpoint. To do the test, laboratories use antibodies—small protein molecules that adhere to insulin in the test tube and allow it to be measured. These antibodies are typically produced at large commercial suppliers by inserting antibody-producing cells into the abdomens of mice. The mice act basically as incubators, providing a warm environment for the cells. The irritating cells cause the animal’s body to swell with antibody-rich fluid, which is dutifully removed at intervals by a laboratory technician wielding a needle. Now, these cells exist as immortal cell lines and laboratories can certainly grow them in the test tube. However, doing so presents another problem: laboratories use animal serum as a growth medium, which is obtained in a procedure that is very poorly standardized and also very cruel. Without going into details, slaughterhouses look for cattle who are pregnant at the time of slaughter. When a fetal calf is found, a large-bore tube is driven into the calf ’s heart and the blood is vacuumed out. The serum is separated and sold. Its quality varies dramatically, as you can imagine, and the process is one that many scientists have complained about. I telephoned one laboratory after another and called several experts in cellular methods. All agreed that it should be very feasible to produce the antibodies in the test tube. But do-ing so without animal serum? Impossible. It would never work. And no laboratory would be interested in even trying. Well, in the words of Napoleon Bonaparte, “Si je veux, je peux!” (If I want to, I can!) PCRM’s Megha Even, Chad Sandusky, and I sat down and worked out a plan. Over a period of several months and working with two con-tract laboratories, we identified the cells we needed and weaned them onto serum-free medium. We then watched how well they grew, whether they could still produce the antibodies we needed, and whether the antibodies would work in the test. When we ran test samples, not only did our new test work—technically, it was as good or even better than the existing tests. My conclusion is that an “impossible” challenge is simply one whose solution is not yet clear. The solutions come into focus once the challenge is taken up.

NEAL D. BARNARD, M.D., PRESIDENT OF PCRM

Editorial

Challenges and Solutions

Redefining “Impossible”


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PCRMDoctors and laypersons working together for compassionate and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion.

ContentsContents

Nutrition & Prevention

6 Sowing Veggie Seeds in School Foodservice PCRM’s Golden Carrot Awards Honor Innovation

Research Issues

8 PCRM Develops World’s First Cruelty-Free Insulin Assay

10 Listening to Vioxx Why the FDA Must Focus on Clinical Research, Not Misleading Animal Tests By John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C.

The Year in Review

12 PCRM 2004

Departments

2 Editorial

4 The Latest In...

9 Staff Profi le / Chad Sandusky, Ph.D.

16 The Cancer Project / The News You Need

18 Member Support

19 PCRM Marketplace

22 Just the Facts

24 Physician Profi le / Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H.Cover Photo © iStock Photo

www.PCRM.org


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Good Medicine®FROM THE PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE

FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

WINTER 2005 VOL. XIV, NO. 1

Editor in Chief Neal D. Barnard, M.D.Managing Editor/Designer Doug Hall

Editor Simon Chaitowitz Production Coordinator Lynne Crane

Web Designer Lisa Schulz

ADVISORY BOARDT. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. Cornell University

Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D. The Cleveland ClinicSuzanne Havala, Ph.D., R.D. The Vegetarian Re source Group

Henry J. Heimlich, M.D., Sc.D. The Heimlich In sti tuteLawrence Kushi, Sc.D. Kaiser Permanente

John McDougall, M.D. McDougall Program, St. Hel e na HospitalVirginia Messina, M.P.H., R.D. Nutrition Matters, Inc.

Milton Mills, M.D. Gilead Medical GroupMyriam Parham, R.D., L.D., C.D.E. East Pasco Medical Center

William Roberts, M.D. Baylor Cardiovascular In sti tuteAndrew Weil, M.D. University of Arizona

Affi liations are listed for identifi cation only.

PCRM STAFF • Trulie Ankerberg-Nobis, M.S. Clinical Research Coordinator • Milosz Banbor Research Coordinator • Simon Chaitowitz Communications Director • Sandy Chu, Esq. Legal Assistant • Isabel H. Clark Special Projects Editor • Cael Croft Associate Designer • Claudia Delman Outreach Manager • Megha Even, M.S. Research Analyst • Amber A. Green, R.D. Staff Dietitian • Laura Hale Phlebotomist • Brent Jaster, M.D. Associate Director of Nutrition Research • Daria Karetnikov Assistant to the President • Dan Kinburn, Esq. Senior Counsel • Mindy Kursban, Esq. Chief Legal Counsel • Amy Lanou, Ph.D. Nutrition Director • Jeanne Stuart McVey Communications Liaison • Sarah Mugford Clinical Research Data Manager • Yillah Rosenfeld Communications Administrative Assistant • Chad Sandusky, Ph.D. Director of Research and Advocacy • Jennifer Scope Associate Designer • Kim Seidl, R.D. Staff Dietitian • Kristie Stoick, M.P.H. Research Analyst • Patrick Sullivan Staff Writer/Web Editor • Sherry Ward, Ph.D. Associate Director of Toxicology and Research • Howard White Senior Media Relations Offi cer • Col-leen Young PSA Manager and Physician Liaison • THE CANCER PROJECT • Kathy Glisson Marketing Manager • Jennifer Reilly, R.D. Managing Director • PCRM FOUNDATION • Nabila Abdulwahab Data Processor • Grace Adams Accounts Payable Specialist • Sarah Clifton Development Associate • Deniz CorcoranMember Services Coordinator • Lynda Cozart Payroll and General Ledger Specialist • Sossena Dagne Data Processor • Alison Drone Assistant Director of Development • Shannon Ferguson Development Associate • Peggy Hilden Vice President • Louise Holton Personnel Manager • Vanessa Jones Receptionist • Stephen Kane Controller • Ronny Little Operations Manager • Lauren McCutcheonAdministrative Associate • Tashee Meadows Development Associate • Debbi Miller Special Events Manager • Nick Patch System Administrator/Developer • Leroy Perez Information Technology Manager • Tekola Pettis Literature Manager • Rod Weaver Data Manager

GOOD MEDICINE is pub lished quar ter ly by the Physicians Com mit tee for Responsible Med i cine, 5100 Wis con sin Ave., N.W., Suite 400, Wash ing ton, DC 20016, tel 202- 686-2210, fax 202-686-2216. It is dis trib ut ed as a mem ber ship benefi t to PCRM mem bers. Basic annual mem ber ship in PCRM is $20 (tax-de duct ible). PCRM pro motes good nutrition, pre ven tive med i cine, eth i cal re search practices, and com pas sion ate med i cal policy. Readers are welcome to reprint articles with out ad di tion al per mis sion. Please in clude the credit line: Re print ed from GOOD MED I CINE, Winter 2005, Phy si cians Com mit tee for Re spon si ble Med i cine. Ar ti cles are not to be re print ed for re sale. Please con tact PCRM at [email protected] re gard ing other per mis sions. ©PCRM, 2005. GOOD MEDICINE is not intended as in di vid u al med i cal ad vice. Per sons with med i cal con di tions or who are tak ing med i ca tions should dis cuss any diet and life style chang es with their health pro fes sion al. “Good Medicine” is a registered trade mark of the Physicians Committee for Re spon si ble Med i cine. “Physicans Com mit tee for Responsible Med i cine,” “PCRM,” “The Can cer Project,” the “Hu mane Char i ty” Seal, and “The Gold Plan” are trade marks of PCRM, fed er al reg is tra tion pend ing.

PCRM Phone Ex ten sions 202-686-2210Health Charities and Research Issues .............................ext. 329Literature Requests .......................................................ext. 306Media ............................................................................ext. 309Membership (change of ad dress, duplicate

mailings, renewal questions) ......................................ext. 304

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The Latest in…The Latest in…

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH


Fruits and Vegetables Ward Off Strokes

Western diets rich in red and processed meats, refi ned grains, and sweets are associated with more strokes, according to the fi rst-ever study to

examine overall dietary patterns and stroke risk. Researchers from the Har-vard School of Public Health evaluated the diets of 71,768 female nurses, aged 38 to 63, for a period of 14 years. After controlling for lifestyle factors, the risk for any type of stroke for those eating the most foods from the “Western” diet pattern was 58 percent greater than those eating the fewest. Risk for ischemic stroke was 56 percent greater. Women eating the most whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and other low-fat foods had the most protection from strokes.Fung TT, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Roxrode KM, Willett WC, Hu FB. Prospective study of major dietary patterns and stroke risk in women. Stroke 2004;35:2014-9.

Exercise: As Good as Heart Drugs

Moderate exercise—walking, jogging, cycling—has major health benefi ts, according to researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Twenty-eight older, hypertensive adults were asked to engage in exercise or to receive hydrochlorothiazide for six months. While exercise did not reduce systolic blood pressure as much as did the medication, it improved cases of left ventricular hypertrophy, or heart enlargement, comparable to the thiazide. Unlike the drug, however, exercise was able to increase aerobic fi tness and improve insulin resistance.Rinder MR, Spina RJ, Peterson LR, Koenig CJ, Florence CR, Ehsani AA. Comparison of the effects of exercise and diuretic on left ventricular geometry, mass and insulin resistance in older hypertensive adults. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004 Aug;287(2):R360-8. Epub 2004 Apr 29.

HEALTHY AGING

Fruit Can Save Your Eyesight

Men and women who consumed three or more servings of fruit per

day, especially oranges and bananas, had a decreased risk of macular degeneration, according to research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Researchers tracked 77,000 women and 40,000 men for up to 18 and 12 years, respectively, who were at least 50 years old and had no diagnosis of age-related maculopathy. After more than a decade of follow-up, those who ate the most fruits had the lowest risk of macular degeneration.Cho E, Seddon JM, Rosner B, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Prospective study of intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and carotenoids and risk of age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthal-mol 2004;122:883-92.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

Exercise, Not Calcium, Counts Most in Bone Building

Exercise during adolescence is signifi -cantly associated with increased bone

mass density and bone strength, according to research published in the Journal of Pe-diatrics. As part of the longitudinal Penn State Young Women’s Health Study, 80 young white females, aged 12 to 22, were studied for ten years, with researchers analyzing calcium intake, exercise history, and oral contraceptive use. Daily calcium intake varied from 500 to 1,900 mg, but only exercise was identifi ed as a predomi-nant determinant of bone strength.Lloyd T, Petit MA, Lin HM, Beck TJ. Lifestyle factors and the develop-ment of bone mass and bone strength in young women. J Pediatr 2004;144:776-82.

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Forest Laboratories announced that a 2002 study found its antidepres-

sant Lexapro ineffective in children and adolescents—information the company omitted from a 2004 article in The Ameri-can Journal of Psychiatry which reported that the drug had positive effects. The announcement comes just months after

Anew survey shows that an over-whelming majority (82 percent)

of British general practitioners are con-cerned that animal data can be misleading when applied to humans. Eighty-three percent of the survey respondents also said they would support an independent scientifi c evaluation of the effi cacy of animal testing. The survey was conducted in August 2004 by Europeans for Medical Advance-

RESEARCH ETHICS

A Virtual Patient May Save Your Life

The ten-year-old technology that cre-ated “virtual patient” simulators for

new physicians to practice on has netted such good results that medical experts at the American College of Surgeons and other institutions are now working to standardize its use at schools and hospitals nationwide. Studies show that physicians who train on simulators—which are lifelike mannequins with hearts that beat, lungs that breathe, and veins that respond to injection—make fewer errors and work more quickly than those who practiced on animals or learned by observation. Simulators are widely used for training U.S. military medics and about half of U.S. medical students. Although they are pricey—from $40,000 to $2 million each—a new study found that simulators pay for themselves in six months because trainees quickly gain effi ciency. Please visit www.Immersion.com for more information.

Most British Doctors Skeptical of Animal Experiments

ment (EMA), a nonprofi t research and educational institute dedicated to mod-ernizing medical research. Notes EMA director Ray Greek, M.D., “An indepen-dent, transparent and public evalu-ation of the scien-tifi c value of animal experimentation is long overdue.”

Drug Company Admits Medication Failure—Two Years Later

Oxford University researchers discovered that clinicians routinely alter the results of their studies to present the outcomes they desire. Celexa, another Forest anti-depressant widely prescribed for pediatric patients, contains the same active ingredi-ent as Lexapro. The New York Times, June 26, 2004

Ray Greek, M.D.


Endoscopy AccuTouch System

Endoscopy AccuTouch System

Endovascular AccuTouch

System

Images © Immersion Medical Corp.

The Latest in…


Sowing Veggie Seeds in School FoodservicePCRM’s Golden Carrot Awards Honor Innovation

No one watching chef Beth Col-lins whip up a

batch of braised tofu or vegan sausage for the students at Ross School in East Hampton, New York, would dare call her a typical lunch lady.

Ditto for Gloria Boccato, director of food services for the Los Angeles Leadership Academy, a charter school in one of that city’s neediest districts. Boccato—sans hair net—can often be found on early-morning patrols of local produce markets, looking for the freshest food possible for her daily salad bar. These and a growing number of other school food-service professionals around the country are getting creative about one of the biggest challenges facing so-ciety today—how to get kids to eat more healthfully. But anyone who reviews school menus on a regular basis knows that situations like these are the exception, not the rule. Artery-clogging meat, chicken, and dairy products dominate most menus. Nutrition informa-tion is often supplied by junk-food manufacturers.

Nutrition&Prevention

Parents, teachers, doctors, and other concerned citizens can play

a key role in helping a school turn its foodservice around. Activists can also help get legislation passed to promote vegetarian options in schools. For more information and inspiration, check out the following Web sites or call PCRM’s nutrition director, Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., at 202-686-2210, ext. 354.

www.HealthySchoolLunches.org Health information, school lunch reviews, recipes, and more from PCRM’s Healthy School Lunches Campaign.

www.FoodStudies.orgThe Food Studies Institute, run by acclaimed nutrition educator Antonia Demas, offers a unique curriculum integrating academic disciplines with food, nutrition,

culture, and the arts.

www.ChoiceUSA.net CHOICE: Consumers for Healthy Options in Children’s Education offers a wealth of resources for educators,

foodservice professionals, and parents.

www.NoJunkFood.orgRun by school activist Jackie Domac, this site has

information about legislation and other attempts (including creative fundraising ideas) to create a

healthier learning environment in schools.

www.HealthyLunches.orgThe New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches is a grassroots initiative helping to enact recently passed legislation supporting vegetarian meals in

New York State.

Get Involved

Karen Candito, director of nutrition services for Berkeley Unifi ed School District and winner of PCRM’s 2004 Golden Carrot Award

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And many kids are more likely to get an outing to McDonald’s than a fi eld trip to a local produce farm. After four years of conducting its annual School Lunch Report Card, PCRM’s nutrition staff knew better than anyone just how much change was needed on our nation’s lunch lines. As PCRM nutrition director Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., says, “If today’s kids are going to beat the epidemics of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer awaiting so many of them, we need to get creative about promoting healthy vegetarian food.”

An Incentive to Go Veg

So this past fall, Dr. Lanou and her staff announced PCRM’s fi rst-ever Golden Carrot Awards. The goal

was to reward those foodservice professionals moving in the right direction and inspire others to do the same. PCRM’s staff solicited entries from around the country, looking for programs doing an exceptional job of pro-moting healthy habits and providing healthful foods, especially vegetarian and vegan options. The entries poured in. Although most foodservice staff have yet to learn that dairy products, chicken and fi sh are

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not health foods, the winning schools are all doing a good job of providing vegetarian alternatives, boosting fruit and vegetable consumption, and reducing fat intake.

Berkeley Gets the Big “Carrot”

Berkeley Unified, a district that serves nearly 9,000 students, and its director of nutrition services,

Karen Candito, won the grand prize. “Berkeley Uni-fied really impressed us,” said Dr. Lanou. “Candito and her staff have done an extraordinary job of providing their students with healthy, diverse menus with lots of vegetarian options, and teaching kids about the impor-tance of good nutrition.” Dr. Lanou also pointed to the school’s famed gardens, “International Food Court,” commitment to organic ingredients, and bans against fried foods, sugary desserts, and soda. Three second prizes were also awarded: • Gloria Boccato, director of food services, Los Angeles Leadership Academy, California. At this charter school in one of LA’s poorest neighborhoods, Boccato believes that good food and nutrition will help her students overcome their economic and social chal-lenges. Some of Boccato’s menu innovations include offering tofu and beans at the salad bar; eliminating hydrogenated oils, sugar, soda, and refined flours; and using only whole grains and fresh vegetables. • Beth Collins, executive chef, Ross School, Long Island, New York. Collins believes that a focus on or-ganic, sustainable, regional, and seasonal foods will help promote lifelong health and well-being for the students at this private school. A joint study by the Harvard Medical School and the Centers for Disease Control found that 75 percent of the students’ parents have been inspired to change the way they cook at home. • Penny E. McConell, director of food and nutri-tion services, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia. One of the largest school districts in the country, Fairfax

• Albemarle County Schools, Charlottesville, Virginia. Launched the all-vegan “Food Is Elementary Curriculum” developed by Antonia Demas, Ph.D., as a pilot project in fall 2004.

• Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada. Introduced policies encouraging consumption of lower-fat meals. Fre-quently features hot vegetarian and vegan options.

• Hempfield School District, Landisville, Pennsylvania. Devel-oped the “Produce Pentathlon” competition as a way to chal-lenge kids to eat more fruits and vegetables.

• Marblehead Community Charter Public School, Marble-head, Massachusetts. Offers veggie burgers daily; also free fruit, unusual cooking classes, and gourmet veggie treats such as roasted butternut squash.

• Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica, California. An early innovator in using gardens and trips to farmers’ markets to increase fruit and veggie consumption. Nutrition classes even employ plastic replicas of fat.

• South Oregon Education Service/Talent Transition Site, Phoenix, Oregon. Involves the community in teaching kids how to garden and cook through a live-in program for developmen-tally disabled children.

Honorable Mentions and a Bit about Them

regularly offers vegetarian and vegan menu options. Students and parents are taught about the full range of calcium-rich foods including green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, and nondairy milks. PCRM announced the winners during National School Lunch Week, October 11-15, 2004; deadline for the 2005 awards is September 1. To learn more about the awards, please contact PCRM nutrition director Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., at 202-686-2210, ext. 354, or [email protected].

Nutrition&Prevention


ROSS SCHOOL MARK COPLAN, BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOLS


Each year, U.S. doctors and researchers order in-numerable blood tests for patients with diabetes or suspected diabetes. As laboratories analyze the

insulin levels in patients’ blood, they employ an assay procedure that uses cruelly produced animal-derived ingredients. There has been no available alterna-tive—until now. In January 2004, PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., launched an important clinical trial to test the effect of a low-fat, vegan diet on patients with type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the laboratories he contracted with for clinical tests measured insulin in a particularly gruesome way. They used antibodies to detect insulin, and these antibodies were produced from cells that had been placed into the abdomens of living mice. The unfortunate animals become painfully swollen with antibody-fi lled fl uid, which the laboratories extract

Lab Advancements

Research Issues

with a needle and use in test kits. Considered “living factories,” these animals are used by the millions each year, not just for insulin assays but for all types of medi-cal tests.

Where There’s a Will, There’s an Alternative

Rather than support this form of animal use, PCRM decided to look for a lab that could grow the an-

tibody-producing cells in a test tube. Working under Dr. Barnard’s direction, PCRM research analyst Megha Even, M.S., took on the challenge. She soon located a laboratory in Emeryville, California—BiosPacifi c—that was willing to try to grow the cells in the test tube, rather than in mice. But another obstacle stood in the team’s way. Grow-ing antibodies in test tubes typically requires the use of fetal calf serum as a growth promoter. Calf serum is a gruesome byproduct of the slaughterhouse industry, and it has been hotly controversial, not only for the cruelty involved in its production, but also for its possible contamination with mad cow prions or other disease carriers. Fetal serum is also as biologically variable and unstandardized as it is cruel. So the PCRM team asked BiosPacifi c to work out a system of cellular growth

promotion that sidestepped fetal calf serum. Was it possible not only to grow the cells

entirely in the test tube, but to do so without the usual growth factors in fetal calf serum? It took months of work, and the process was not cheap. But it eventu-ally became clear that, indeed, the cells grew perfectly well with this method and produced the antibodies the team needed.

A Second Hurdle Overcome

The next challenge was to incorporate these antibodies into a test kit. To

do that, PCRM worked with Linco Research of St. Charles, Missouri, one


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The small classifi ed ad in the Wash-ington Post announcing a PCRM job

seemed to leap off the page to Chad San-dusky as he glanced through the science jobs one sunny Sunday in August 2002. The respected toxicologist had often felt a vague uneasiness about his work at the Environmental Protection Agency and as a consultant for the chemical in-dustry—which often required ordering animal tests. Here was his chance to do something about it. After more than 30 years in a dis-cipline based largely on animal tests, the 59-year-old Duke and Emory alumnus has boldly redefi ned himself as someone who cares deeply about the hundreds of millions of animals used each year in animal experiments. Now the director of toxicology and research

Lab Advancements

Research Issues

Extreme Makeover

One Scientist’s StoryChad B. Sandusky, Ph.D.

for PCRM, Dr. Sandusky is working at the national and international levels to eliminate the use of animals in medical education, toxicity testing, and medical research. (See “The Year in Review” on page 12.) “Once I starting thinking outside the science-as-usual box, I began to see that animal research isn’t just cruel—it’s not good science, nor is it a wise use of resources,” says Dr. Sandusky. “Animals are just not good models for hu-mans. I also have learned that an-imal tests have never actually

been validated; they’ve just evolved over the years, yet our government holds cruelty-free alternative tests to impos-sible standards.” Dr. Sandusky looks forward to PCRM expanding its advocacy role into newly developing areas of sci-ence. “Years from now, when we look back on this period in our culture,

we will wonder why we took so long

to change,” he says. “It feels good to be on the right side of history.”

Staff Profi le

the national and international levels to eliminate the use of animals in medical education, toxicity testing, and medical research. (See “The Year in Review” on

“Once I starting thinking outside the science-as-usual box, I began to see that animal research isn’t just cruel—it’s not good science, nor is it a wise use of resources,” says Dr. Sandusky. “Animals are just not good models for hu-mans. I also have

we will wonder why we took so long

to change,” he says. “It feels good to be on the right side of history.”

of the leading suppliers of insulin kits. It was several months before the kit was ready. Finally, several human blood samples were tested using the new system, and the results were compared to the existing insulin assays. When the data came in, the laboratory called PCRM to tell them the news: The new test was every bit as accurate as the old one—or perhaps just slightly better. The new method is now being used to analyze insulin levels in PCRM’s study participants’ blood samples. Even is now working on two scientifi c papers describing

the project. Once published, the papers will promote the use of PCRM’s new custom assay and encourage research-ers to develop alternatives to other tests that use animal-derived ingredients. For more information about this assay, please con-tact Megha Even, M.S., at 202-686-2210, ext. 327, or [email protected].


Considered “living factories,” animals are used by the millions each year, not just for insulin assays but for all types of medical tests.



Research Issues

Listening to VioxxFDA Must Focus on Clinical Research, Not Misleading Animal Tests

By John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C.

To some arthritis sufferers, the yellow pill seemed like a miracle. But then came the alarming truth. On September 30, the pharmaceutical giant Merck

announced that long-term use of Vioxx, an anti-infl am-matory medication taken by 20 million Americans since 1999, could double the risk of heart attack or stroke. So Vioxx was yanked off the market, leaving puzzled consumers to wonder how this dangerous drug ever reached the pharmacy. That question also troubles Congress, which recently launched an investigation into how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) handles drug safety concerns. But one key problem may go unrecognized. Unsafe drugs reach the market partly because the FDA gives too much credence to misleading animal tests and pays too little heed to clinical trials like the one that just unmasked the dangers of Vioxx. Every drug approved for human use by the FDA was shown to be “safe” in animal studies. But animal testing never revealed the cardiovascular risk posed by Vioxx. Indeed, some animal experiments actually led researchers to believe the drug could help protect the cardiovascular system. A 2002 experiment on mice found that Vioxx and another related drug signifi cantly reduced atherosclero-sis in the animals. The researchers, who published their results in the journal Current Opinions in Lipidology, concluded that such drugs could be a potential therapy for the prevention of atherosclerosis.

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Meanwhile, clinical research was uncovering the truth. In 2001, Cleveland Clinic researchers found that Vioxx posed a signifi cantly greater heart attack risk than naproxen, an over-the-counter anti-infl ammatory. Unfortunately, the FDA didn’t take such concerns seriously enough. The agency asked Merck to add warning language to the drug’s label, but Vioxx stayed on the market until Merck voluntarily recalled it. As a result, tens of thousands of people may have suffered related heart attacks or strokes, according to Cleveland Clinic researcher Eric J. Topol. That’s shocking, but similar cases abound. Phar-maceutical companies have invested millions in drugs like Zomax, a pain medicine, only to discover that extensive animal testing had failed to predict deadly effects in humans. One example resembles the Vioxx debacle. In the mid-1990s, doctors began noticing that many people taking the weight-loss drugs fenfl uramine and phentermine, used in the fen-phen combination, de-veloped a dangerous thickening of their heart valves. Fenfl uramine appeared safe in animal tests but proved dangerous to humans. Even basic toxicology tests on animals aren’t serv-ing us well. The Multicenter Evaluation of In-Vitro Cytotoxicity program found that rat and mouse tests were only about 65 percent accurate in predicting lethal blood concentrations of chemicals in humans. But a combination of human-cell tests and computer modeling predicted chemical toxicity with 80 percent precision. Why does animal testing fail? One reason is basic biology. Physiological and anatomical differences be-tween species can make animals like rats a poor model for how a drug will work in a human. That’s why, historically, animal tests have been a boon to companies making unsafe products. The clas-sic example is the tobacco industry, which defended the healthfulness of cigarettes for years by pointing to inconclusive animal experiments. Drug companies shouldn’t be allowed to use the same crutch. As a fi rst step to keeping consumers safe, the FDA must stop pretending that animal tests accurately predict results in humans.

Superior alternatives already exist, and the develop-ment of others must be a priority. According to a 1998 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 100,000 Americans are killed every year by adverse reactions to drugs. This is unacceptable. The government must also improve its monitoring of drugs that have already been approved. For example, the FDA should start requiring all medical personnel to report potential adverse drug reactions, instead of relying on voluntary reporting by perceptive physicians. Good science could save consumers from the next Vioxx—but that won’t happen unless the government stops relying on antiquated animal tests.

Cardiologist John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., is a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Animal testing never revealed the cardiovascular risk posed by Vioxx.

Indeed, some animal experiments actually led researchers to believe the drug

could help protect the cardiovascular system.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

One way to help discourage the type of research that led to the Vioxx debacle is to support nonanimal research. If you’re

looking for a health charity that focuses on arthritis, here are two that boast the Humane Charity Seal of Approval.

Arthritis Research Institute of America 300 South Duncan Avenue, Suite 240 Clearwater, FL 33755 727-461-4054 www.PreventArthritis.org

Arthritis Trust of America 7111 Sweetgum Road, Suite A Fairview, TN 37062-9384 615-799-1002 www.ArthritisTrust.org

Unfortunately, the Arthritis Foundation still conducts or funds animal experiments. To contact the foundation about this, send a letter to Arthritis Foundation, 1300 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, or call 404-872-7100.


Year in Review

PCRM 2004

THE YEAR IN REVIEWThere’s no doubt about it: 2004 was PCRM’s most exciting year since our founding in 1985. Thanks to the support of our

generous members and the help of an ever-growing team of staff and volunteers, PCRM accomplished a staggering amount over the past 12 months. Here are just a few highlights:

PCRM Scientists Gaining Infl uence

Toxicology and research director Chad Sandusky, Ph.D., continues to gain more clout among industry and government decision-makers as he now sits on a na-tional scientifi c panel and participates in various international symposia as well. PCRM was delighted to add another scientifi c powerhouse to its team in 2004 when in-vitro toxicologist Sherry Ward, Ph.D., M.B.A., came on board as associ-ate director of toxicology and research. Dr. Ward has extensive research experi-ence in biochemistry, cell biology, and monoclonal antibodies and has worked on

the development and valida-tion of human cell-based ocular models. Among other initiatives, she is co-ordinating a workshop for industry, government, and academia on an alternative to the use of animals for skin toxicity.

After several years of intense campaigning, PCRM’s research department had good reason to cheer when the University of Virginia Medical School dropped its “dog

lab” in February. PCRM’s Megha Even, M.S., and several PCRM doctors worked closely with the local Citizens for Humane Medicine to show that students don’t need to kill dogs to learn human surgical skills.

Expanded National Medical School Campaign

With UVA under its belt, research staff ramped up its campaign to take on the remaining 22 medical schools that still use live animals to teach human physiology, pharmacology, and/or surgery. (Over the years, PCRM helped convince most of the country’s other 104 medical schools to modernize their teaching methods.) In October, PCRM member Susanna Walsh, M.D., briefed Duke students on humane alternatives to their school’s pig class during a luncheon lec-ture. Her visit was part of a major PCRM push at Duke that included letters to the dean, ads in the school paper, opinion pieces, and other educa-tional initiatives.

Alternatives to DissectionKeeping Frogs out of the Classroom

If Milosz Banbor, PCRM’s new dissection campaign coordinator, has anything to say about it, no budding young science student will ever have to cut up a frog again. Banbor is working with activists, parents, and kids in Arizona, Massachus-setts, Michigan, and New Jersey to help pass state legislation that guarantees all students an alternative, more humane, way to learn biology. He’s helped indi-vidual kids opt out of dissection classes, organized letter-writing campaigns, placed ads, and arranged for member doctors to meet with legislators. He also orchestrated the distribution of nearly 12,000 anti-dissection posters featuring Survivor winner Jenna Morasca to teens around the country.

It’s been a long uphill fi ght, but PCRM made real headway in 2004 in convinc-

ing chemical companies and the federal government to reduce the numbers of animals slated for toxicity testing. By combing through test plans, hounding manufacturers, urging federal bureaucrats, and producing scores of scientifi c cri-tiques, PCRM’s team of toxicologists was able to prevent at least 2,000 deaths.

Animals in Medical Education: Good News for Dogs and Pigs Animals in Toxicity Testing: More than 2,000 Animals Saved

PCRM member Susanna Walsh, M.D., explains nonanimal alternatives at Duke University School of Medicine.


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PCRM 2004

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The Cancer Project: A New Beginning

Whether they’re testifying at an Insti-tute of Medicine summit on spinal

cord research or tabling at a local health fair, PCRM’s research team has one goal in mind—promoting alternatives to the use of animals in medical research. Needless to say, these staffers had a busy year. Kristie Stoick, M.P.H., for example, coordinated the distribution of 100,000 fl yers educating March of Dimes support-ers about that charity’s funding of cruel research. She also oversaw the distribution of 7,000 PSAs featuring ER star Noah Wyle pitching the Humane Charity Seal of Approval. (A corresponding Wyle ad

PCRM Exposes the Pain of “Routine” Research Procedures

The research team saw other important milestones this year. Among them was the

In 2004, The Cancer Project teamed up with Whole Foods to offer its popular Cooking Classes for Cancer Survivors throughout the D.C. area. (Plans are under way to offer the classes through-out the country.) The Cancer Project also revamped its Web site, produced a comprehensive Survivor’s Handbook and video

package, and did dozens of media inter-views on the power of a low-fat vegetarian diet to reduce cancer risk and improve survival. PCRM dietitian Jennifer Reilly, R.D., manages the new organization under the direction of PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D.

Animals in Medical Research: Incentives for Change

publication of a groundbreaking report on animal suffering by PCRM consul-tant and ethologist Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D. Appearing in the November issue of Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Ani-mal Science, Dr. Balcombe’s paper proves that even the most “routine” laboratory procedures, such as blood drawing and gavage, cause animals enormous stress. Dr. Balcombe presented his fi ndings at scientifi c conferences in France, England, the United States, and Argentina. And PCRM research consultant and profes-sor Jarrod Bailey, Ph.D., completed work on his paper on interspecies variability in birth defects research. It is slated for publication in 2005.

campaign ran in dozens of Playbills and other outlets.) And, working with a local animal protection group in Columbus, Stoick organized a massive letter-writing cam-paign to end a cruel spinal cord injury course at Ohio State University.

Since 1991, PCRM has worked to edu-

cate the public and the healthcare industry about the relationship between diet and cancer through an innovative program called The Cancer Proj-ect. In 2004, that program expanded into a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organiza-tion. As a new, separately incorporated affi liate of PCRM, The Cancer Project will continue to advance new approaches to cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research.

Cooking Classes, Videos, Interviews, and More

Year in Review

The Survivor’s Handbook debuted as a companion to Cooking Classes for Cancer Survivors.

Scientists in Argentina study Dr. Jonathan Balcombe’s fi ndings regarding lab animal stress.


campaign ran in dozens of and other outlets.)

And, working with a local animal protection group in Columbus, Stoick organized a massive letter-writing cam-paign to end a cruel spinal cord injury course at Ohio State

Year in ReviewYear in ReviewYear in ReviewYear in Review

Scientists in Argentina study Dr. Jonathan Balcombe’s Scientists in Argentina study Dr. Jonathan Balcombe’s Scientists in Argentina study Dr. Jonathan Balcombe’s

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Year in Review

Nutrition Research: PCRM Tackles Diabetes and Obesity

With U.S. diabetes rates projected to double by 2050, it’s no surprise

there’s so much interest in PCRM’s in-novative diabetes study. Featured in major media outlets and funded by the National Institutes of Health, PCRM’s study is testing the effi cacy of a low-fat, vegan diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The project is immense. Throughout 2004, PCRM president Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and a multidisciplinary team of providers including Brie Turner-McGrievy, M.S., R.D., and Trulie Ankerberg-Nobis, M.S., R.D., led 70 diabetes patients through their new dietary patterns. The study, to be completed in 2006, compares a vegan diet to the more typical diet recommen-dations made by the American Diabetes Association. A previously published PCRM study showed that a vegetarian diet reduced or eliminated the need for medicines in two-thirds of the study participants.

In 2004, PCRM’s nutrition team reviewed airport, school, and restaurant menus, encour-

aging foodservice directors to offer healthier fare, especially vegetarian and vegan options. Amber Green, R.D., Kim Seidl, R.D., and Jennifer Reilly, R.D., compiled the reports, along with nutrition director Amy Lanou, Ph.D. Hundreds of media stories resulted, all communicating the importance of a vegetarian diet. The team also completed several key reports slated for pub-lication in peer-reviewed journals; one review article refutes the commonly held myth that bone health is dependent on dairy consumption. Another summarizes the fi ndings of a PCRM soymilk study conducted in Florida elementary schools.

Major Successes; Challenges Remain

One of their major efforts—and suc-cesses—in 2004 was to educate the public about the dangers of a low-carb, meat-heavy diet. Dr. Lanou and her staff handled hundreds of media interviews and generated dozens of letters to the edi-tor. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they revamped

Nutrition Advocacy: Taking on the Meat and Dairy Industries

PCRM’s nutrition staff had a challeng-ing, but immensely successful, year.

From the mad cow outbreak in January to the September disclosure that the Na-tional Education Association was selling out to the Atkins empire, there was no shortage of opportunities to set the world straight about good nutrition. Headed by Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., PCRM’s nutrition department did just that. Whether testify-ing at public hearings, pushing for change within the food industry, or advising con-gressional staff, this highly credentialed team had one goal in mind: publicizing the multitude of health benefi ts possible with a low-fat, vegan diet.

“Wow, It’s That Easy?” New Study Refutes Myths about Vegan Diets

In other research news, Dr. Barnard pub-lished a paper in July proving that a major diet overhaul is easier than most people might imagine. Published in the summer 2004 issue of the Journal of Cardiopulmo-nary Rehabilitation, the study shows that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to a low-fat, vegan diet. PCRM also established the Washington Center for Clinical Nutrition in 2004; this institute will eventually manage all of PCRM’s clinical nutrition research.

PCRM’s diet registry for people harmed by these fad diets. Although many Americans are drawn to the Atkins hype, a recent Reuters article partly credited PCRM’s work for the diet’s declining popularity. Other efforts focused on changing government food policy. Dr. Lanou and her team also promoted the health benefi ts of a vegan diet to the vari-ous committees charged with revising the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid.

Nutrition Reports & Reviews: Rethinking the American Diet

In its “Uncle Sam Wants You…Fat!” Washington Post ad, PCRM challenged the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s participation in a $1 million “Dunk and Win” industry campaign to promote Oreos and milk.

Florida elementary school students enjoy soymilk samples offered by PCRM’s Jennifer Reilly, R.D.


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Year in Review

Chief legal counsel Mindy Kursban and senior litigator Dan Kinburn scored a major victory

in PCRM’s lawsuit over cat experiments once conducted by a veterinarian at Ohio State University. A judge ruled in favor of PCRM, ordering the National Institutes of Health to make public previously withheld details about the gruesome tests. The case upholds the public’s right to know about what goes on in the country’s laboratories.

In the MediaPCRM’s experts generated millions of me-dia impressions via TV interviews, news-paper and magazine articles, public ser-vice announcements, ads, and opinion pieces in 2004.

On the RoadPCRM’s public education staffers criss-crossed North America in 2004 par-ticipating in more than two dozen health fairs, medical conferences, and health summits.

PCRM’s legal team also won a victory in its case over Tyson Foods’ false advertising claim that its chicken is healthy. And PCRM’s legal team made headlines around the globe in May when it fi led a lawsuit against Atkins Nutrition-als on behalf of a 53-year-old Florida man who sustained a life-threatening artery blockage after more than two years on the diet. On the legislative side, the legal team or-ganized briefi ngs and meetings on Capitol Hill to educate congressional staff about various nutrition and animal-research related legisla-tion, including the problems with granting “Big Food” immunity for its part in the nation’s obesity epidemic.

Legal & Legislative Initiatives: Forging New Ground

PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., and documentary fi lmmaker Morgan Spurlock talk with Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) at a screening of Super Size Me at the Library of Congress.

PCRM senior litigator Dan Kinburn and plantiff Jody Gorran bring suit against the Atkins diet.

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Aysha Akhtar, M.D.Aurora Alberti, M.D.Carolina Amador, M.D.Frederick W. Ammerman, D.O.Michael Andrews, M.D.Zarin Azar, M.D.Ronald S. Banner, M.D.Diane Bedrosian, M.D.Douglas B. Bell, M.D.Carroll J. Bellis, M.D., Ph.D.Patricia Bertron, R.D.David Bullock, D.O.Cynthia Churchill, M.D.Elizabeth Conrey, R.D., Ph.D.Marjorie Cramer, M.D.Michele Dodman, D.O.Sarah Ellis, R.D.

Moneim Fadali, M.D.Joel Fuhrman, M.D.Sanjeev Goel, M.D.Patrice Green, M.D., R.N.Roger Greenlaw, M.D.Daran W. Haber, M.D.William Harris, M.D.Madeleine Jacobs, M.D.Samuel L. Jacobs, M.D.Michael Jacobson, Ph.D.James Kanter, M.D.David L. Katz, M.D., M.P.H.Stephen Kaufman, M.D.Margaret Kordylewska, M.D.Lawrence Haruo Kushi, Sc.D. Nancy Loewen, R.N.Dan Maloney, M.D.

Thanks! Our heartfelt thanks to some of the many doctors and other health professionals who helped us during this past year.

John McDougall, M.D.Gerard D. McLane, Dr.P.H.Milton Mills, M.D.Margaret Morin, R.N. David T. Nash, M.D.Ana Negrón, M.D.Josh P. Novic, M.D.Jules Oaklander, D.O.David Perlmutter, M.D.John J. Pippin, Jr., M.D.Cyndi Reeser, R.D., M.P.H.Richard B. Resnick, M.D.William C. Roberts, M.D.Annette M. Roesler, M.D. Narda D. Robinson, D.O., D.V.M.Samuel W. Root, M.D.Safi a Rubaii, M.D., ABHM

Amanda Sager, R.D.Doris Sarni, M.D.Joan Saxton, M.D.Leonard B. Segal, M.D.Jaymie Shanker, M.D.Michele Simon, J.D., M.P.H.Don Sloan, M.D.Richard A. Sorgen, M.D.Stephen Stigers, M.D., D.M.D.Diane Tanenbaum, M.D.Carol A. Tavani, M.D.Theodore Vickman, M.D.Susanna M. Walsh, M.D.Carrie Walters, M.D.Richard W. Weiskopf, M.D.Michael P. White, M.D.Harvey Zarren, M.D.



Year in Review

The News You NeedCancer Project

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 2004 Fiscal Year Report

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Win the Cancer WarIn North America, one in every three women will de-velop cancer during her lifetime. However, new research shows that increasing fruits, vegetables, and plant foods, and limiting the intake of salt, additives, fat, and meat may significantly decrease cancer incidence and mor-tality. The study followed 29,564 women, aged 55-96 and initially free of cancer, from 1986 to 2003. Other lifestyle recommendations included exercise, maintain a healthy body weight, limit alcohol, and eliminate tobacco use. Cerhan JR, Potter JD, Gilmore JM, et al. Adherence to the AICR cancer prevention recommen-dations and subsequent morbidity and mortality in the Iowa Women’s Health Study cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004;7:1114-20.

A Role for Soy in Endometrial Cancer Prevention Regular consumption of soy foods, especially in over-weight women, seems to reduce risk for cancer of the endometrium, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University and the Shanghai Cancer Institute. Com-paring the soy intake of 832 women with endometrial cancer to that of 846 unaffected women, the researchers found that those consuming more than 16 grams of soy daily had a reduced risk of 33 percent. It is believed that the anti-estrogen activities of soy isoflavones may have been a factor in the observed benefit.Xu WH , Zheng W, Xiang YB, et al. Soya food intake and risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women in Shanghai: population based case-control study. BMJ 2004 May 29;328(7451):1285. Epub; doi:10.1136/bmj.38093.646215.AE; 2004 May 10.

Fiber Controls Estrogen in Breast Cancer PatientsA high-fiber diet was associated with a significant de-crease in the reproductive hormone estradiol in women previously diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a study from the University of California–San Diego. Researchers measured serum reproductive steroid hor-mones, which are suspected of playing an important role in the development of breast cancer, in 291 women with a history of the disease at enrollment and again one year later. Women who increased their intakes of fiber,

Contributions and Donations ................. $ 7,997,420

Legacies and Bequests ............................ $ 1,815,402

Grants .......................................................... $ 368,137

Other Revenue ............................................ $ 394,184

TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE ........... $ 10,575,143

Mission statement: Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effective-ness in research.PCRM Board of Directors: Neal D. Barnard, M.D., President; Roger Galvin, Esq., Secretary; Andrew Nicholson, M.D., DirectorPhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit orga-nization. Contributions are tax-deductible. PCRM, 5100 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, (202) 686-2210, www.pcrm.org

75.62%Contributions and Donations

17.17%Legacies and Bequests

3.48%Grants

3.73%Other Revenue

Interest, dividends, royalties, and other income

Net Assets, End of Year $ 2,756,346

87.72%Program Services

Research Advocacy, Clinical Research, Nutrition Education, Legal Advocacy,

Publications, Public Education, Communications

7.21%Membership Development/Fundraising

5.07%General Operations

Support and Revenue


Expenses

Program ServicesResearch Advocacy ..................$ 1,178,794Clinical Research .......................... $ 456,690Nutrition Education .................... $ 892,840Legal Advocacy ............................ $ 391,585Publications ................................... $ 435,090Public Education .......................... $ 431,123Communications ......................... $ 483,627Total Program Services ............................$ 4,269,749

Development ..............................................$ 350,823

Operational .................................................$ 246,735

Expenditures .............................................$ 4,867,307

Donation to The PCRM Foundation ......... $ 5,816,516

TOTAL EXPENSES .................................... $10,683,823


Cancer Project

The News You Need

vegetables, and fruits while reducing fat had a decrease of bioavailable estradiol, which may decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and increase overall survival.Rock CL, Flatt SW, Thomson CA, et al. Effects of a high-fi ber, low-fat diet intervention on serum concentrations of reproductive steroid hormones in women with a history of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:2379-87.

COLON CANCER

Diabetes Linked to Colorectal Cancer Risk and MortalityType 2 diabetes—preventable in nearly 90 percent of cases—was associated with a threefold risk of colorectal cancer and also with lower survival rates, according to two new studies. University of Cambridge researchers followed 10,000 British adults aged 45 to 79 who were initially free of cancer. Researchers found that people with diabetes were at three times the risk for developing colon can-cer. Increased risk was directly related to the glycated hemoglobin level, a measure of average blood sugar levels, even among those free of diabetes. For every 1 percent increase, cancer risk increased 33 percent. CDC researchers tracked more than 400,000 men and 500,000 women with no history of cancer for 16 years, fi nding that diabetes was signifi cantly associated with fatal colon cancer and pancreatic cancer in both genders. For men, diabetes was also signifi cantly asso-ciated with liver and bladder cancer, and for women, with breast cancer. Associations were not explained by high body mass.Khaw KT, Wareham N, Bingham S, Luben R, Welch A, Day N. Preliminary communication: glycated hemoglobin, diabetes, and incident colorectal cancer in men and women: a prospective analysis from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004;6:915-9.

Coughlin SS, Calle EE, Teras LR, Petrelli J, Thun MJ. Diabetes mellitus as a predictor of cancer mortality in a large cohort of U.S. adults. Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:1160-7.

PROSTATE CANCER

Milk Consumption Is a Risk for Prostate CancerIn a meta-analysis study, researchers in Japan found a signifi cant positive association between milk consump-tion and prostate cancer. The analysis included 11 case-control studies published between 1984 and 2003 in eight different countries. Their fi nding is consistent with a previous study which calculated the relationship between the incidence rate of prostate cancer and dietary practices in 42 countries and found milk to be closely correlated with prostate cancer incidence. Researchers have previously observed that prostate cancer mortality rates have risen in Japan since the Westernization of the diet after World War II; however, the underlying mechanisms—possibly fat, calcium, hormones, or other factors—require further investigation.Qin LQ, Xu JY, Wang PY, Kaneko T, Hoshi K, Sato A. Milk consumption is a risk factor for prostate cancer: meta-analysis of case-control studies. Nutr Cancer 2004;481:22-7.

1. Red beans

2. Wild blueberries

3. Red kidney beans

4. Pinto beans

5. Cultivated blueberries

6. Cranberries

7. Artichokes

8. Blackberries

9. Prunes

10. Raspberries

11. Strawberries

12. Red delicious apples

13. Granny Smith apples

14. Pecans

15. Sweet cherries

16. Black plums

17. Russet potatoes

18. Black beans

19. Plums

20. Gala applesJ Agr Food Chem 2004 Jun.

And the Winners Are…

Researchers Identify the 20 Most Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:1160-7.Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:1160-7.Am J Epidemiol

Winter 2005

7. Artichokes

8. Blackberries

9. Prunes

10. Raspberries

11. Strawberries

12. Red delicious apples

19. Plums

20. Gala applesJ Agr Food Chem 2004 Jun.


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Member Support

Dear Friends,

It is hard to imagine that we are well into 2005 already. From all of us at PCRM I

want to thank you deeply for the support you have given us over the years. It has been truly wonderful to see the creation and expansion of so many programs that improve the lives of animals and humans alike—thanks to your tremendous part-nership in our work. This year we celebrate our 20th anni-versary, and we hope that many of you will be able to join us in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 16 to mark this occasion. We will have free educational sessions

during the day, including a gourmet vegan cooking class, a media training session for doctors who would like help speaking to the press about our issues, and a wonderful technology hall where exhibitors will dem-onstrate the latest education and research tools that no longer use animals. Our evening event is a celebration and black tie fundraiser at the beautiful Orga-nization of American States building. We are incredibly fortunate to have Alec Bald-win join us as host. Proceeds for the event will help to support ongoing programs as well as launch some new work that will be unveiled that night. For more information about the

event, please visit our Web site at www.pcrm.org/gala or contact Debbi Miller at 202-686-2210, ext. 340, [email protected], or me at 415-750-4790, [email protected]. We realize that many of you will not be able to join us in D.C., but we hope that you will continue to share in our critical programs throughout the year. We have many opportunities for you to partner in our work. We will continue to update you on campaign activity, and we encourage you to check out our Web site for updates and information about steps you can take to help advance our program work. I’d like to remind you that fi nancial support of our work is also critical to our success. Many members have chosen to keep us strong long into the future by including PCRM as a benefi ciary of a planned gift, be it through a will, trust, life insurance, or annuity. If you would like more information about any of these giving options, please feel free to contact me. May 2005 bring progress to our critical work—for the lives of many depend on our success.

Warmest regards,

PEGGY HILDEN VICE PRESIDENT

THE PCRM FOUNDATION


A Day to RememberSaturday, April 16, Washington, DC

I’m interested in learning more about planned giving options. Please: Send me your brochure “Making Gifts and Bequests to PCRM.”

Call me.

PHONE NUMBER BEST TIME TO CALL

I’ve already included PCRM in my will or estate plan.

NAME EMAIL

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP CODE

Please mail to: The PCRM Foundation • 1333 Balboa St., #2 • San Francisco, CA 94118For more information: Peggy Hilden • 415-750-4790 • [email protected]

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Alec Baldwin, PCRM gala host


Vegetarian America: A HistoryKaren Iacobbo, Michael Iacobbo The fi rst complete history of vegetar-ianism in the United States, this story explains key people, organizations, and events from the 1700s to the present. Learn about the esteemed physicians, glittering socialites, and other notable personalities who made a lasting impact on American diet, medicine, and social movements. 288 pgs, $39.95

Super Size Me DVDDirected by Morgan SpurlockIn this award-winning documen-tary, fi lmmaker Spurlock lives on a McDonalds-only diet for one month, with devastating results. Mixing humor with commentary by medical experts, Super Size Me exposes the consequences of the national romance with fast food. 96 minutes, plus bonus footage and interviews. Parental advisory: language, graphic medical scenes. $26.99

Food Allergy Survival GuideVesanto Melina, M.S., R.D., Jo Stepaniak, M.S.Ed., Dina Aronson, M.S., R.D.Three prominent authorities in nutrition and vegetarian cooking explain how to pinpoint foods that trigger aller-gies and aggrevate conditions such as arthritis, asthma, ADHD, and depression. Learn to recognize “hidden” culprits in prepared foods. Discover delicious, healthful substitutes. Includes over 100 recipes. 383 pages, $19.95

The Whole Foods Diabetic CookbookPatricia Stevenson, Michael Cook, Patricia Bertron, R.D.It’s not just about sugar any more! A low-fat, veg e tar i an diet high in fruits, veg e ta bles, whole grains, and beans will keep blood sug ar at a more con stant lev el and help con trol ex cess weight. De li cious rec i pes make it easy. In cludes back ground info on di a be tes and nu tri tion. 159 pgs, $12.95

RESEARCH ISSUES

What Will We Do If We Don’t Experiment on Animals?Medical Research for the 21st CenturyC. Ray Greek, M.D., and Jean Swingle Greek, D.V.M. The Greeks answer the title’s question with a tour of truly modern medical research. With advances in the study of human genetics and the ability to measure human responses to drugs at the molecular level, reasearchers will fi nd it increasingly diffi cult to justify the crude data accumulated from animal experimentation. 262 pgs, $24.99

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Dairy-Free and Delicious Meat- and Dairy-Free Recipes for TwoBrenda Davis, R.D., Bryanna Clark Grogan, and Joanne StepaniakFind out about lactose in tol er ance and dairy al ler gies, convenient non-dairy sub sti tutes, and ex cel lent non-dairy cal ci um sourc es. Over 100 easy rec i pes. 159 pgs, $12.95

Your Vegetarian PregnancyA Month-by-Month Guide to Health and NutritionHolly Roberts, D.O., FACOGFulfi lling every nutritional guide line rec om mend ed by the Amer i can Col-lege of Ob stet rics and Gy ne col o gy, this book is the fi rst au thor i ta tive guide to main tain ing a healthy plant-based diet be fore, dur ing, and after the birth of your child. 378 pgs, $15.00

Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan WorldErin PavlinaDrawn from interviews with hundreds of vegan families, this books offers parent-tested answers to your most pressing questions. Learn about the transition to a vegan diet, dealing with social pressure, and coping with travel, dining out, holidays, parties, and summer camp. Includes kid-friendly recipes. 205 pgs, $19.95

Vice Cream Over 70 Sinfully Delicious Dairy-Free DelightsJeff RogersYou can make truly creamy and delectable ice creams using purely vegan ingredients—milks from nuts, maple syrup and dates as sweeteners, and all the amazing fl avors nature has to offer. With vice cream in your freezer, you’ll never yearn for milk-based ice cream again. 128 pgs, $12.95

PCRM MarketplacePCRM Marketplace

exposes the consequences of the

Healthy Eating for Life for ChildrenPCRM with Amy Lanou, Ph.D.When children learn proper nu tri tion ear ly in life, they are more like ly to avoid heart disease, obe si ty, and di a be tes. Here’s how to get them started. In cludes kid-test ed recipes. 258 pgs, $14.95

Healthy Eating for Life book series from PCRMPCRM’s series of medically sound, reader-friendly books explain diet’s role in wellness and disease pre ven tion. Each book includes at least 80 healthy, de li cious veg e tar i an recipes. Fore words by PCRM president Neal D. Barnard, M.D.

Healthy Eating for Life for WomenPCRM with Kristine KieswerLearn how the right foods can ease men stru al and meno paus al symp toms, strength en bones, en cour age weight loss, protect the heart, and help pre vent certain cancers. 260 pgs, $14.95

Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat CancerPCRM with Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.This book provides a com plete nu tri tion program to prevent and fight can cer. Packed with tips and guide lines for lifelong good health. 244 pgs, $14.95

Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat DiabetesPCRM with Patricia Bertron, R.D.Studies show that diabetes can be high ly re spon sive to diet and lifestyle chang es. PCRM ex plains these chang es and how to put them into practice. 244 pgs, $14.95

The Best in the World IIHealthful Recipes from Exclusive and Out-of-the-Way RestaurantsJennifer l. Keller, R.D., ed i torTravel around the world to discover trea sures from side-street cafes and el e gant ho tel din ing rooms. At- trac tive ly il lus trat ed, this de light ful ve g an cook book is the seqel to PCRM’s orig i nal in ter na tion al rec i pe col lec tion. Hard cov er, 71 pgs, $11.95

The Best in the WorldFast, Healthful Recipes from Exclusive and Out-of-the-Way RestaurantsNeal D. Barnard, M.D., editorThis popular collection of won der -ful ly healthy recipes comes from the world’s best and most unusual res tau rants. En joy these vegan del i ca cies at home. Hard cov er, 71 pgs, $11.95

‘Best in the World’ Matched Set OfferGet both beautiful volumes for $18


PCRM Marketplace

Vegetarian CookingDVDFrom Compassionate CooksColleen Patrick-Goudreau and Alka Chandna, better known as the Com-passionate Cooks, host this engaging, energetic, and remarkably informative DVD. They create six tantalizing yet easy-to-make dishes, packing each demonstration full of nutritional facts and shopping tips. Includes answers to frequently asked ques-tions regarding vegetarianism. 69 mins, $20.00

Don’t Drink Your MilkFrank Oski, M.D.Milk is the perfect food—for a calf. For hu mans, how ev er, milk poses several health risks, as out lined in this very read able book by the former di rec tor of the Johns Hopkins Uni ver si ty De part ment of Pe di at rics. 92 pgs, $9.95

Vegan Microwave CookbookNancy Berkoff, R.D.Award-winning chef and columnist Nancy Berkoff offers over 165 easy recipes, many of which take less than 10 minutes to prepare. Microwave magic can make dream meals mesh with a busy schedule. 287 pgs, $16.95

More Fabulous BeansBarb Bloomfi eldPacked with minerals and fi ber, beans help supply optimal nutrition. They provide an earthy backdrop to these quick, creative recipes—simple to gourmet. Whether you’re cooking for two or a crowd, the results are fabulous! 192 pgs, $14.95

Healthy HighwaysThe Traveler’s Guide to Healthy EatingNikki Goldbeck, David GoldbeckAvoid the fast food trap when you travel with this unique guide to over 1,900 natural food stores plus vegetarian and health-conscious restaurants across the Untied States. Each entry includes a checklist of features, contact information, and local driving directions. 432 pgs, $18.95

The Complete Guide to Vegetarian Convenience FoodsGail Davis, Foreword by Neal D. Barnard, M.D.If you think vegetarian cook ing is too much has sle, here are easy op tions. The au thor re views brand-name ve g an con ve nience foods, in clud ing dairy substitutes, soups, meat sub sti tutes, sauc es, frozen meals, and more. Includes sup pli er in dex. 158 pgs, $12.95

Fat-Free and Easy Great Meals in Minutes!Jennifer RaymondAs guest chef for Dr. Dean Ornish’s “Open Your Heart” pro gram, Jen ni fer Raymond has the se cret to mak ing quick, fat-free, scrump tious, vegan recipes that will de light everyone. 152 pgs, $12.95

Venturesome Vegetarian CookingBold Flavors for Meat- and Dairy-Free MealsJ.M. Hirsch, Michelle HirschFocusing on fl avorful, innovative dishes that just happen to be vegan, the authors present over 150 daring yet simple-to-prepare recipes, many with an international twist. J.M. Hirsh is an Associated Press food editor and a nationally syndicated cooking columnist. Features over 100 color photos. 210 pgs, $21.95

to be vegan, the authors present over 150 daring yet

DVD. They create six tantalizing yet easy-to-make dishes,

From Neal D. Barnard, M.D., PCRM president

Breaking the Food SeductionWe all have foods we can’t resist, foods that sabotage our health. But banishing those cravings for choc o late, cookies, cheese, or burgers isn’t a question of will pow er, it’s a matter of bio-chemistry. Draw ing on his own research and that of other leading in sti tu tions, Dr. Barnard re veals how diet and lifestyle changes can break the crav ing cy cle. 324 pgs, $14.95

Breaking the Food Se duc tion Au dio Sum ma ry by the author, 68 mins, compact disc, $10.00

Turn Off the Fat GenesGenes, in clud ing those that shape our bod ies, ac tu al ly adapt to out side in fl u enc es. Dr. Barnard ex plains the pro cess and pro vides a three-week gene-con trol program com plete with menus and rec i pes by Jen ni fer Raymond. Here are pow er ful tools for achiev ing long-term weight loss and bet ter health. Paperback, 350 pgs, $14.00

Eat Right, Live LongerFoods can slow and even re verse some as pects of ag ing. Learn the sur pris ing role that food plays in weight con-

trol, meno pause, heart dis ease, hy per ten sion, di a be tes, ar thri tis, os teoporo sis, and many oth er con di tions. Rec i pes by Jen ni fer Raymond. 336 pgs, $13.00

Comer Bien para Vivir Más Años Spanish-language ver sion of Eat Right, Live Long er. 414 pgs, $25.00

A Physician’s Slimming Guide: A Workbook for Per ma nent Weight ControlYou can succeed in be com ing and stay ing slim mer! This book is not a diet—it’s a com pre hen sive pro gram that takes the read er be yond ar ti fi cial “for mu la ap proach es.” 96 pgs, $5.95

Foods That Fight PainDid you know that gin ger can pre vent mi graines and that cof fee some times cures them? Draw ing on new re search, Dr. Bar nard shows read ers how to soothe ev ery day ail ments and cure chron ic pain with com mon foods. 348 pgs, $14.00

Foods That Fight Pain VHS video, 55 mins, $14.95

Food for LifeThe breakthrough book on ag ing, heart dis ease, can cer, weight con trol, and general health. Pref ace by Dean Ornish, M.D. Loads of tips on chang ing your diet, 21 days of menus, plus de li cious rec i pes by Jen ni fer Raymond. 334 pgs, $14.00

From The Cancer Project

The Survivor’s Handbook:Eating Right for Cancer SurvivalFind out how foods fi ght cancer and the advan-tages of a high-fi ber, low-fat, dairy- and meat-free diet. Includes updates from the latest research, special prostate and breast cancer sections, tips for making the dietary transi-tion, and recipes. Spiral bound, 145 pgs, $19.95 Introductory Discount $14.95

Food Choices for HealthAccording to the Na tion al Cancer In sti tute, 35 to 60 per cent of can cer is re lat ed to diet. This book let pro vides the infor mation about low er ing can cer risk and im prov ing your abil i ty to fi ght the dis ease. 16 pgs, $2.00

The Roles of Ex er cise and Stress Man age mentIn the past two de cades, a wealth of research has revealed that emo tion al fac tors and a lack of exercise can alter the body’s re sis tance to can cer. This book let shows you how to build your de fens es. 12 pgs, $2.00


PCRM Marketplace

Choose Health! Four Food Groups Poster Striking color pho tos il lus -trate PCRM’s New Four Food Groups for com plete nu-trition with out cho les ter ol and ex cess fat. Includes serv ing recom men dations. 22"x17", $6.00

Cartoon Four Food Groups PosterPCRM’s col or ful and infor mative guide to nu tritional recom men dations, i l l u s t rat e d f o r younger eaters. 22"x17", $6.00

New Four Food Groups Placemats Four colorful guides to the New Four Food Groups. The fl ipside provides cooking and food storage tips, unmasks dietary myths, and suggests ad di tion al read- ing. 17"x11", $12.00

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The New Four Food Groups Grocery Tote BagThis ample can vas bag measures 12"x16.5"x7". Green on natural white. $10.00

Choose Health! Four

Striking color pho tos il lus -trate PCRM’s New Four Food Groups for com plete nu-trition with out cho les ter ol and ex cess fat. Includes serv ing recom men dations. 22"x17", $6.00 The New Four Food Groups Grocery Tote Bag

This ample can vas bag measures 12"x16.5"x7". Green

From PCRM

Bumper Sticker White on navy. $1.00Bumper StickerWhite on green. $1.00 Bumper Sticker Full color. $1.00

Vegetarian Starter KitIt’s all here. Learn about the pow er of a plant-food diet for fi ght ing dis ease and main tain ing a healthy weight. Get the facts on ve g an di ets for preg nant wom en, ba bies, and chil dren. Try de li cious sam ple rec i pes. De bunk com mon myths. And make friends with the New Four Food Groups! 16 pgs, $2.00

Go Veg—B4 It’s 2L8 Quality 100% cotton. Yellow on for est green. $11.95

Show your support for humane research with

Humane Charity Seal of Approval Items

Refrigerator Magnet Full color, 2˝x3½˝. $1.00

Go Ve g an Mul ti lin gual ApronVeg-friendly phrases in ten lan guag es. 21"x28" gourmet apron with pocket. Cream on forest green. $13.95

Bumper Sticker Full color. $1.00


Just the FactsJust the Facts


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The Vegan GenerationOne in five teenagers may show signs of heart disease, but hope is on the way. Ac-cording to a recent survey of more than 100,000 college students, nearly a quarter say that finding vegan meals on campus is important to them. And college kids may be smarter than we think. Only 18 percent care about low-carb meals.Source: ARAMARK news release, October 19, 2004

Smoking Still a Leading Cause of Statistics Despite years of human data proving that cigarette smok-ing is deadly, experimenters at the University of California, Davis are subjecting mice to five months in a whole-body inhalation chamber to assess three levels of smoke expo-sure on lung tumors.

Source: “Beyond Animal Research,” August 2004; www.pcrm.org

Just What Kids Don’t NeedHershey Foods Corporation proudly introduced its New Hershey’s Fortified Syrup last fall as the “first-ever chocolate syrup fortified with vitamins and nutrients that can help moms increase their child’s daily nutrient intake.”

Source: Company news release; September 7, 2004

Cell Phones Safe for MiceMen hoping to become parents might want to pay attention to a new study of mobile phone use in hu-mans showing that mobile phone use can cut a man’s fertility by one-third. Mouse and rat studies, conducted for no convincing scientific reason, showed no effect.

Source: “Beyond Animal Research,” July 2004; www.pcrm.org

Lab Vets: Desperately Seeking Career CounselorLab-animal veterinarian is the third-worst-possible job in science, says a new report in Popular Science. The magazine described the position as “disillusioning,” “heart-breaking,”

and as “career-track bait-and-switch.” Many students choose veterinary medicine because they care about animals, the writers say, but then end up having to sub-ject them to pain-ful experiments, ending in death.

Source: “The Worst Jobs in Science: The Sequel,” Popular

Science, November 2004

Therapeutic Junk Food In a recent New York Times story on the growing concern over fast-food venues in hospitals, Ken Barun, a senior vice-president for McDonald’s, claimed Happy Meals are actually good for sick kids. “From the emotional side, it really does help them get better,” he says.

Source: “Burgers for the Health Professional,” The New York Times, October 27, 2004

Stating the ObviousCruel and, unfortunately, not unusual would be the words to describe a new study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and the Oregon Health & Science University’s Primate Research Center. Ex-perimenters separated baby monkeys from their mothers at different points in their de-velopment, including during their first weeks of life. The study found that the earlier the infants are removed from their mothers, the worse their adjustment.

Source: OHSU news release, October 24, 2004

Risky Recipe The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service is hoping to convince ranchers to feed their cows more poultry manure and litter. (Just add a bit of grain and vitamin A, they say.) The growth of Georgia’s poultry industry has produced such large quantities of this waste material that the service has dubbed it the “$50 Million Dollar Forgotten Crop.”

Source: The University of Georgia–Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service, July 2004

Hold the Formaldehyde, PleaseA scientific advisory com-mittee for the European Union has recommended allowing producers to start using formaldehyde as a fattening agent for chickens. Formaldehyde has been long suspected of causing cancer in humans.

Source: Just.Food.com, October 14, 2004


Just the Facts

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The purchase of these products helps support PCRM’s efforts to encourage higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in medical research. Not only will you contribute to an important cause, you’ll benefi t from better value than you’ll fi nd at the bank. A royalty of 10% of the sales prices will go directly to PCRM. Order Today!

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contribute to an important cause, you’ll benefi t from better value than you’ll fi nd at the

Donate your used car to PCRM and get a tax deduction. We’ll take care of the paperwork and the tow ing, if need ed. PCRM accepts car donations anywhere in the United States. To get start ed, email cardonations@ pcrm.org or call 202-686-2210, ext. 304.

Unwanted Wheels?

Junk Food NationHamburgers, pizza, potato chips, soda, cake, candy, and alcohol now make up one-third of the American diet.

Source: Journal of Food Chemistry and Analysis, month, 2004

Pinkwashing Alcohol and saturated fat have been linked to breast cancer in numerous studies. So the manufacturers of Sut-ter Home’s White Zinfi ndel and M&Ms new pink-and-white chocolate candies are donating a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer research.

Source: Mars, Inc. Web site www.mms.com; www.sutterhomeforhope.com;

both accessed October 2004

Government Pork on the RiseA recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group shows some of the ex-tent of government support for unhealthy foods. In 2002 total livestock subsidies were more than $976 million. And that was an increase of 125 percent from the previous year.

Source: “Livestock Subsidies in the United States: 1995-2002,” Environmental Working Group


For me, medicine is about more than just treating disease,” says Hope Ferdow-sian, M.D., M.P.H., an avid believer in the power of prevention and the

importance of providing healthcare to underserved populations around the world. “I make it a priority to counsel patients on the many benefits of plant-based diets and other lifestyle modifications. By giving them the right tools, I can help them prevent long-term complications of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.” A vegetarian since high school, a staunch supporter of non-animal research methods, and a human rights activist, Dr. Ferdowsian embod-ies the true meaning of the word compassion. She recently completed a preventive medicine residency at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City where she worked with underserved populations. Now completing a second residency, this time in internal medicine at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., Dr. Ferdowsian continues to go the extra mile. Despite the demands of her continuing training, she somehow finds time to continue her work with marginalized populations. And, all the while, she has helped promote alternatives to the use of animals in medical schools. Once finished with her training, Ferdowsian plans to get more involved in global public health issues. “I’m excited about the growing interest in diet as a tool for prevention and in the management of problems such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain forms of can-cer,” she says. There are so many ways to help—both people and animals.”

Physician Profile

Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H.

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