On Sat, 18 Jun 2005, "ltlee1" <ltlee1@hotmail.com> wrote:

maff wrote:

Bird Flu Drug Useless
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/17/AR2005061701214_pf.html

http://forums.delphiforums.com/atheistrefuge/messages?msg=1791.6526
Chinese Chickens Given Medication Made for Humans

By Alan Sipress, Page A01
Chinese farmers, acting with governmental approval, have tried to
suppress major bird flu outbreaks among chickens with an antiviral drug
meant for humans; as a result, the drug will no longer protect people
in case of a worldwide bird flu epidemic.

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/435407a.html

"Drugs that could lessen the death toll in a flu pandemic do
exist. But global stockpiles are too small, and the countries at
most immediate risk are among the worst prepared. Alison Abbott
reports."

One article I read said that nations have been stocking up on the drug
that has just now been rendered useless. I guess those stocks are
useless now.

--
Bobby Bryant
Austin, Texas

ltlee1 wrote:

maff wrote:

Bird Flu Drug Useless
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/17/AR2005061701214_pf.html

http://forums.delphiforums.com/atheistrefuge/messages?msg=1791.6526
Chinese Chickens Given Medication Made for Humans

By Alan Sipress, Page A01
Chinese farmers, acting with governmental approval, have tried to
suppress major bird flu outbreaks among chickens with an antiviral drug
meant for humans; as a result, the drug will no longer protect people
in case of a worldwide bird flu epidemic.

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/435407a.html

"Drugs that could lessen the death toll in a flu pandemic
do exist. But global stockpiles are too small, and the
countries at most immediate risk are among the worst prepared.
Alison Abbott reports."

"The older, off-patent drugs amantadine and rimantadine
belong to a different class and interfere with a viral
protein called M2, which stops the virus from entering
its target cells. They seem to be as clinically effective
as the neuraminidase inhibitors, but resistance arises very
rapidly and the drugs can have disturbing side effects,
including psychotic episodes. Although such reactions are
rare, they would be highly unwelcome in the already panicky
atmosphere of a flu pandemic."

All of which reminded me of a favourite quotation of creationists:

"Scientists in China have discovered ancient bacteria that cast doubt
on Darwin's theory, and have published papers stating this. One of
them, Jian Yuan Chan, said, 'In China, we can criticize Darwin, but we
cannot criticize the government. In the US you can criticize the
government, but you cannot criticize Darwin.'"

Perhaps, if the Chinese had spent more time criticizing their
government and less criticizing Darwin they might have realised what
they were doing.

Ian

--
Ian H Spedding

ltlee1 wrote:

maff wrote:

Bird Flu Drug Useless
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/17/AR2005061701
214_pf.html

http://forums.delphiforums.com/atheistrefuge/messages?msg=1791.6526
Chinese Chickens Given Medication Made for Humans

By Alan Sipress, Page A01
Chinese farmers, acting with governmental approval, have tried to
suppress major bird flu outbreaks among chickens with an antiviral drug
meant for humans; as a result, the drug will no longer protect people
in case of a worldwide bird flu epidemic.

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/435407a.html

"Drugs that could lessen the death toll in a flu pandemic
do exist. But global stockpiles are too small, and the
countries at most immediate risk are among the worst prepared.
Alison Abbott reports."

"The older, off-patent drugs amantadine and rimantadine
belong to a different class and interfere with a viral
protein called M2, which stops the virus from entering
its target cells. They seem to be as clinically effective
as the neuraminidase inhibitors, but resistance arises very
rapidly and the drugs can have disturbing side effects,
including psychotic episodes. Although such reactions are
rare, they would be highly unwelcome in the already panicky
atmosphere of a flu pandemic."

All of which reminded me of a favourite quotation of creationists:

"Scientists in China have discovered ancient bacteria that cast doubt
on Darwin's theory, and have published papers stating this. One of
them, Jian Yuan Chan, said, 'In China, we can criticize Darwin, but we
cannot criticize the government. In the US you can criticize the
government, but you cannot criticize Darwin.'"

Perhaps, if the Chinese had spent more time criticizing their
government and less criticizing Darwin they might have realised what
they were doing.

Ian

--
Ian H Spedding