Naturally Interesting

Entries tagged as ‘government’

Are we over spending on cancer research if most cancer is preventable?

February 27, 2009 · 2 Comments

More than a third of the most common cancers in developed countries could be prevented by healthy eating and exercise, says a report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

These figures do not include smoking, which alone accounts for about a third of cancers. Source.

So over 2/3 of all cancer is preventable?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus package) and President Obama’s proposed budget include a lot of money for cancer research. Including at least:

  • $10 billion to NIH, including $1.3 billion for the National Cancer Institute
  • $1 billion to CDC for prevention and wellness programs, including cancer screening and education.
  • From the budget proposal: another $6 billion

Details are hard to find (without actually reading the entire stimulus bill), but I gather from the American Cancer Society that the passed bill eliminated funding increases for prevention measures and tobacco control.

Assuming the World Cancer Research Fund is correct, than aren’t we spending in the wrong place. If, as appears to be the case here, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, than why are we not directing the majority of that money to prevention efforts, rather than cure efforts.

What is the appropriate response to self-induced cancer? Today everyone knows the risk of smoking. If you continue to smoke and tomorrow are diagnosed with cancer what funding should be available to you. Should we, as a society, be spending billions of dollars every year to save you after your protracted suicide effort? Tobacco prevention programs are far more cost effective than lung cancer research. But since you are an unsympathetic individual do we fund neither? And what about healthy diet and exercise education? It is also very cost effective. But instead we are funding research, because research is sexy. Telling you to diet and exercise – not so much.

Categories: environment
Tagged: ,

Federal Lands in the US

September 27, 2008 · Leave a Comment

I found this interesting map here.

Who Owns the West

Who Owns the West

Categories: environment
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DHS waives environmental law to complete Mexico border fence

April 2, 2008 · Leave a Comment

In a move to finish 670 miles of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of the year, the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced that it will waive federal and state environmental laws. The two waivers, which were approved by Congress, will allow Homeland Security to ignore more than 30 environmental laws, including completing NEPA assessments.

Critics, said the waivers were intended to sidestep growing and unexpectedly fierce opposition — especially in Arizona and in Texas, where concerns have been raised about endangered species and fragile ecosystems along the Rio Grande.

read more | digg story

Categories: environment
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Science, integrity, and your health for sale

March 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

 The FDA judged Bisphenol A safe based on just two studies. Who sponsored these studies? The Society of the Plastics Industry. One of the studies was never published (no peer review), and the other heavily criticized.

Ignoring hundreds of government and academic studies showing a chemical commonly found in plastic can be harmful to lab animals at low doses, the Food and Drug Administration determined the chemical was safe based on just two industry-funded studies that didn’t find harm.

Studies have shown that bisphenol A causes breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes and hyperactivity in laboratory animals. The chemical has been found in the urine of 93% of Americans tested.

The FDA: looking out for the health of the American people American companies.

Reported in the Milwaukie Journal Sentinel.

Categories: health
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