Curated Content: Conflicts of Interest in Medical Schools, The Corruption of Natural Products, and Tyson's Polluting Practices

Conflicts of Interest in Medical Schools from Big Pharma?

Certain medical schools in the United States have established policies enabling their faculty to engage in paid speaking roles for pharmaceutical companies. These speaking engagements typically involve discussing the company’s products, which raises potential conflicts of interest. While a number of academic institutions enforce stringent prohibitions on these activities, others allow them with specific conditions in place. These conditions aim to ensure transparency and provide oversight to address any ethical issues that may arise.

Read more here:https://www.propublica.org/article/medical-schools-policies-on-faculty-and-drug-company-speaking-circuit

 

The Natural Products Expo Is a Trojan Horse of Genetically Engineered Frankenfoods

 

The Organic Consumers Association criticizes the most recent Natural Products Expo, accusing it of acting as a "Trojan Horse" for genetically engineered (GMO) and synthetic biology (SynBio) foods. The key points of the controversy include:

1. Deceptive Marketing: The Expo, which is supposed to showcase natural and organic products, is allegedly promoting GMO and SynBio foods under the guise of being natural.
2. Consumer Misinformation: Attendees and consumers are potentially being misled about the true nature of these products, believing they are purchasing genuinely natural or organic items when they definitely are not.
3. Health and Environmental Concerns: The article raises issues about the health risks and environmental impact associated with GMO and SynBio foods, suggesting that they are not as safe or sustainable as their natural counterparts.
4. Industry Influence: Big biotech companies are purportedly using the Expo to infiltrate the natural products market, pushing their engineered products onto uninformed consumers.
5. Call to Action: The article urges organic consumers to stay vigilant and demand transparency and integrity from brands and expos that claim to support natural and organic standards. Read the original article here: 

   https://organicconsumers.org/the-natural-products-expo-is-a-trojan-horse-of-genetically-engineered-synbio-frankenfoods/

Tyson Foods Dumped Hundreds of Millions of Pounds of Pollutants

Tyson Foods has come under scrutiny for its significant contribution to water pollution. According to an EcoWatch article, the company's facilities have been found to regularly discharge pollutants into waterways across the United States. This issue raises concerns about the environmental practices of one of the largest food producers in the country.

Key Points:

• Pollutant Discharges: Tyson Foods is reported to be responsible for releasing substantial amounts of pollutants, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, into various water bodies. These discharges can lead to detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, including algal blooms and dead zones.
• Environmental Violations: The article highlights multiple instances where Tyson Foods facilities have violated environmental regulations, resulting in fines and legal actions. Despite these penalties, the company’s pollutant discharges continue to be a problem.
• Public Health Concerns: The pollution caused by Tyson Foods not only affects the environment but also poses risks to public health. Contaminated waterways can lead to unsafe drinking water and negatively impact communities relying on these water sources.

Read more here: https://www.ecowatch.com/tyson-foods-pollutants-dumping-waterways.html