Good Medicine - Winter 2008

Good Medicine® From the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine / Winter 2008 / Vol. XVII, No. 1

PCRM Calls on FDA to Speed the Transition to Non-Animal Tests

The End of “Dog Lab,” The Beginning of a New Kind of Medicine

The Cancer Project Changes Lives

Compassion at Every Age

How to Get Involved

The Hazards of School Lunch(And What PCRM Is Doing About Them)

PCRM’s 2007 Year in Review

2 GOOD MEDICINE Winter 2008

Editorial


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The past year saw several important steps forward. The number of medical schools using animal laboratories has fallen from more

than 100 when we began 20 years ago, to 25 in 2005, to about 15 last year at this time, and to just 10 today. The latest to end these cruel exercises were Washington University, New York Medical College, Saint Louis University, Stony Brook University, Duke University, and Texas A&M.

As of late last year, dogs are no longer used in medical education at any U.S. school. And we are push-ing hard on those 10 remaining schools to end their use of other species—pigs, ferrets, and others—in medical coursework. Not only can the animals breathe easier, but the students can, too. No one will ask them to choose between their ethics and their careers. Our work to change medical practice reached a new milestone with our continuing medical education programs. On November 8 in San Antonio, we held the first of our regional programs on the use of vegan diets for diabetes, and had a huge crowd of doctors, dietitians, and other health care professionals eager to learn about the new dietary approach. We held similar events in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Bethesda, Md.; and Atlanta, all with packed houses. These, along with our other events, bring in health care providers because we offer exactly what they need: breakthrough information, continuing education credits, and a good, healthy meal! Over the past year, we have heard from an enormous number of people whose lives were dramatically changed after learning about the vegan approach from our lectures, our books, or our new webcasts.

In response to PCRM’s petition, the Federal Trade Commission pulled the plug on advertisements claiming that dairy products promote weight loss. Mean-while, we are in court against McDonald’s, Outback, and other chain restaurants, after our tests showed their grilled chicken products contain significant levels of carcinogens. Our battle to reform the Farm Bill received unprecedented coverage for a topic that had merited barely a yawn in years past. Suddenly, the press and the public realized that a big reason that cheeseburgers and pepperoni pizza are everywhere—and that our kids are getting fatter day by day—is that our govern-ment subsidizes these products and pushes them on schools. It will take years to overcome the political clout of the meat, dairy, and junk food industries, but we are quickly gaining ground.

Of all the virtues we aim to maintain in our work—integrity, vision, thoroughness—among the most important is impatience. Whether we are confronting cruelties in laboratories or an ever-growing epidemic of diet-related diseases spreading across the globe, there is no time to waste.

The End of “Dog Lab,” the Beginning of a New Kind of Medicine

Of all the virtues we aim to maintain in our work— integrity, vision, thoroughness—among the most important is impatience.

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

PCRM doctors Groesbeck Parham, M.D.,

Ana Negrón, M.D., and Daran Haber, M.D.

ROBERT VISSER

Winter 2008 GOOD MEDICINE 3

Nutrition and Prevention

6 The Hazards of School Lunch (And What PCRM Is Doing About Them)

Research Issues

8 PCRM Calls on FDA to Speed the Transition to Non-Animal Tests

9 Compassion at Every Age

2007 Year in Review

10 Campaign Highlights

12 New Online Resources

13 Events

14 Books Reach a Wide Audience

15 Fiscal Year Report

The Cancer Project

16 The Cancer Project Update Changing Lives in 2007

17 The News You Need

Departments

4 The Latest in...

18 Member Support How to Get Involved / Member Profile: Nanci Alexander

20 PCRM Marketplace

23 Just the Facts

24 Physician Profile Jina Shah, M.D., M.P.H.: A Global Awareness

COVER: ISTOCKPHOTO / PCRM DESIGN

PCRM Doctors and laypersons working together for compassionate

and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion.

ContentsContents


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PCRM Phone Extensions 202-686-2210Health Charities and Research Issues ......................................... ext. 335Literature Requests ................................................................... ext. 306Media ........................................................................................ ext. 316Membership (change of address, duplicate

mailings, renewal questions) ................................................. ext. 304Nutrition ................................................................................... ext. 395

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WWW.PCRM.ORG

Good Medicine®FROM THE PHYSICIANS COMMITTEEFOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

WINTER 2008 VOL. XVII, NO. 1

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

Editor Margaret SouthernAssociate Editor Patrick Sullivan

Contributing Writer Sarah Farr Production Manager Lynne Crane

Web Designer Lisa Schulz

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

Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D. The Cleveland ClinicSuzanne Havala Hobbs, Dr.P.H., M.S., R.D.

University of North Carolina–Chapel HillHenry J. Heimlich, M.D., Sc.D. The Heimlich Institute

Lawrence Kushi, Sc.D. Kaiser PermanenteJohn McDougall, M.D. McDougall Program

Virginia Messina, M.P.H., R.D. Nutrition Matters, Inc.Milton Mills, M.D. Gilead Medical Group

Myriam Parham, R.D., L.D., C.D.E. East Pasco Medical CenterWilliam Roberts, M.D. Baylor Cardiovascular Institute

Andrew Weil, M.D. University of ArizonaAffiliations are listed for identification only.

PCRM STAFF • Aysha Akhtar, M.D., M.P.H. Senior Medical and Research Adviser • Kyle Ash Government Affairs Manager • Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist • Nancy Beck, Ph.D. Scientific and Policy Adviser • Robin Bernstein, Esq. Legal Fellow • Simon Chaitowitz Senior Communications Specialist • Cael Croft Associate Designer • Claudia Delman, M.P.H. Outreach Manager • Jill Eckart Assistant to the President • Tara Failey Communications Coordinator • Sarah Farr Writer/Information Officer • Katerina Herodotou Legal Assistant • Melanie Hiller Research Program Coordinator • Patricia Howard Advertising and PSA Manager • Mark Kennedy, Esq. Attorney • Dan Kinburn, Esq. General Counsel • Susan Levin, M.S., R.D. Dietitian • Katherine Lin, Esq. Legal Fellow • Lynn Maurer Associate Designer • Jeanne Stuart McVey Media Relations Manager • Ryan Merkley Research Program Coordinator • John Pippin, M.D. Senior Medical and Research Adviser • Chad Sandusky, Ph.D. Director of Toxicology and Research • Ximena Savitch Nutrition and Research Assistant • Patty Slowik Nutrition Program Coordinator and Physician Liaison • Edith Sodolo Communications Coordinator • Margaret Southern Web Editor/Staff Writer • Kristie Stoick, M.P.H. Scientific and Policy Advisor • Patrick Sullivan Director of Communications • Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.-ADM, C.D.E. Director of Diabetes Education and Care • Marie Warner Communications Assistant • Boris Zdravkovic Administrative Assistant • THE CANCER PROJECT • Kathy Glisson Director of Marketing • Angela Henley Project Coordinator • Lauray MacElhern Managing Director • Mary Ohno Administrative Assistant • PCRM FOUNDATION • Nabila Abdulwahab Data Processor • Milosz Banbor Accounting Manager • Melinda Beard Receptionist • Nikki Bollaert, M.N.M., C.F.R.E., C.A.P. Major Gift Officer • Deniz Corcoran Data Entry Manager • Sossena Dagne Data Processor • George Dawson Web Developer • Will Flores Technical Specialist • Brian Halprin Membership Coordinator • Carole Holmberg Accounting Assistant • Stephen Kane Finance Director • Jacqueline Keller Development Assistant • Sakeenah Kinard Data Processor • JohnR Llewellyn Internet Marketing Manager • Debbi Miller Special Events Manager • Brandon Niles Accounts Payable Coordinator • Leroy Perez Director of Technology • Bethany Richmond Human Resources Coordinator • Navina Roberts Major Gift Officer • Charles Traynham Facilities Coordinator • Merlene Vassall Grants Manager • Betsy Wason, C.F.R.E. Director of Development • Rod Weaver Data Manager • Gregory Wright Facilities Manager • Rebekah Young Literature Fulfillment Coordinator • Stacey Ziegenhein Human Resources Manager • Craig Ziskin Associate Director of Annual Giving • WASHINGTON CENTER FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH • Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H. Director of Clinical Research • Valerie Hoover Clinical Research Coordinator • CONSULTANTS • Jarrod Bailey, Ph.D. • Shawna Broida • Amber Green, R.D. • Brent Jaster, M.D. • Amy Lanou, Ph.D. • Paul Marcone • Tim Radak, Dr.P.H., M.P.H. • Jennifer Reilly, R.D. • Garrett Strang • Dulcie Ward, R.D. GOOD MEDICINE is published quarterly by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, tel 202-686-2210, fax 202-686-2216. It is distributed as a membership benefit to PCRM members. Basic annual membership in PCRM is $20 (tax-deductible). PCRM promotes good nutrition, preventive medicine, ethical research practices, and compassionate medical policy. Readers are welcome to reprint articles without additional permission. Please include the credit line: Reprinted from GOOD MEDICINE, Winter 2008, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Articles are not to be reprinted for resale. Please contact PCRM at [email protected] regarding other permissions. ©PCRM 2008. GOOD MEDICINE is not intended as individual medical advice. Persons with medical conditions or who are taking medications should discuss any diet and lifestyle changes with their health professional. “Good Medicine” is a registered trademark of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine,” “PCRM,” “The Cancer Project,” “Humane Charity Seal,” and “The Gold Plan” are trademarks of PCRM, federal registration pending.

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The Latest in…The Latest in…

RESEARCH ETHICS By Kristie Stoick, M.P.H., and John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C.


Test-Tube Model Reduces the Use of Dogs in Canine Arthritis Studies

Congress Considers Higher Fines for Mistreating Animals in Laboratories

This fall, the U.S. House of Represen-tatives passed a provision attached to

its version of the Farm Bill that would increase the maximum fine a laboratory could be charged for violating the Animal Welfare Act, from a little over $3,000 to $10,000. The change was introduced by Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who says that

This fall, onCore UK was launched in the United Kingdom with the

mission of improving cancer research by using tissues from people with cancer. “Samples of tissue and body fluids from patients are fast becoming the corner-stone of cancer research,” says professor Herbie Newell of Cancer Research UK. OnCore’s mission is to make it easier

Researchers led by professor James Cook at the University of Missouri-

Columbia’s Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory have developed a test-tube model of canine osteoarthritis that uses tissues recovered from surgical specimens and cadavers. Reported in the summer 2007 issue of Current Rheumatology Reviews, the model was shown to have biochemical, histological, and mechani-cal features similar to spontaneously occurring joint disease. The model will allow researchers to study the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements, treatments, or even physical exercise characteristics. “These in vitro models will allow us to perform our research

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ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL RESEARCH

without using animals while still accu-rately mimicking situations in real life,” says Dr. Cook. The key to the success of the model lies in its “co-culture” construction. Co-cultures are preparations of two or more tissue types in one dish or tube, and are becoming more popular as the importance of “crosstalk” between dif-ferent types of cells and tissues is more fully understood. This research could improve scientists’ abilities to treat dogs with joint disease. Similar procedures may be helpful for humans.Cook JL, Kuroki K, Stoker A, Streppa H, Fox DB. Review of in vitro models and development and initial validation of a novel co-culture model for the study of osteoarthritis. Current Rheumatology Reviews. 2007;3(3):172-182.

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute coordinates similar ef-forts. The growing ease and popularity of the use of human tissues stands to make cancer research more effective by shift-ing focus away from the development of animal “models.”OnCore UK Web site. Available at: http://www.oncoreuk.org/. Accessed Nov. 19, 2007.

Human Tissues at the Forefront of Cancer Research

LABORATORY OVERSIGHT

for cancer patients to donate tissue for research, and the organization has a new, user-friendly Web site designed to educate patients. The site also contains a section for researchers, making it easier for them to find out how to use human tissue in their research.

current fines for violations are “negligible for large research institutions.”Quill E. Congress considers higher fines for mistreating laboratory animals. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Oct. 26, 2007. Available at: http://chronicle.com. Accessed Oct. 29, 2007.


NUTRITION


The Latest in…By Susan Levin, M.S., R.D. and Dulcie Ward, R.D.,

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Western Diet Linked to Birth Defects

WEIGHT CONTROL

A new study from the Netherlands that analyzed the diets of 381 mothers

found that a Western diet may be linked to birth defects. Those women with a “Western dietary pattern,” character-ized by high intakes of organ meat, red meat, processed meat, pizza, legumes, potatoes, French fries, condiments, and mayonnaise but low intakes of fruits had a higher risk of a cleft lip or cleft

palate among their offspring. Women who consumed the greatest amount of these foods had nearly double the risk compared with those who consumed the least.Vujkovic M, Ocke MC, Van der Spek P, Yazdanpanah N, et al. Maternal West-ern dietary patterns and the risk of developing a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. Obstet Gynecol. 2007;110:378-384.

DIABETES

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Whole Grain Intake Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health tracked the

diets and health of 161,737 women par-ticipating in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II. It turned out that those who made whole grain foods a big part of the menu had the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers then conducted a meta-analysis to combine the results of five previous studies. On average, every serving of whole grains that is part of a person’s daily diet cuts diabetes risk by about 10 percent. Whole grains include such foods as whole wheat, rolled oats, brown rice, buckwheat, and quinoa.De Munter JSL, Hu FB, Spiegelman D, Franz M, van Dam RM. Whole grain, bran, and germ intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospec-tive cohort study and systematic review. PLoS Med. 2007;4(8):1385-

1395. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040261. Ac-

cessed Novem-ber 9, 2007.

OBSTETRICS

Carbohydrates Associated with Weight Control

In a review published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, an exercise

physiologist at the University of Virginia assessed the effects of carbohydrate quan-tity and quality of weight control. The author found that the more carbohydrate the participants ate, the lower their body weight. Both whole and refined grains were found to be inversely related to body mass index, although this relationship was more

pronounced with whole grains. Reasons provided include the link between high-carbohydrate diets and improved dietary quality, especially higher intakes of dietary fiber. The author concludes that low-fat, high-fiber diets without emphasis on calorie restriction help sidestep adherence problems and may be best for overall health and weight control.Gaesser GA. Carbohydrate quantity and quality in relation to body mass index. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107:1768-1780.

Atkins Diet Harms Blood Vessels

Researchers at the University of Mary-land Hospital in Baltimore compared

three popular diets and their effects on health. The Atkins, South Beach, and Ornish diets were tested in 18 adults who completed one month on each diet. The Atkins diet, which derives about 50 percent of calories from fat, caused LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, to increase by an average of 15.4 points (mg/dL). The South Beach diet, a 30 percent fat diet, reduced LDL by 10.2 points, and the Ornish diet, which derives 10 percent of calories from fat, reduced LDL cho-lesterol by 25.5 points. In addition, the Atkins diet reduced blood vessel dilation and increased inflammation associated with blood clots, possibly causing long-term damage to blood vessels.

Miller M, Beach V, Mangano C, et al. Comparative e!ects of 3 popular diets on lipids, endothelial function and biomarkers of atherothrom-bosis in the absence of weight loss. Study presented at: American Heart Association’s Scientific Session; Nov. 6, 2007; Orlando, Fla.



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More and more children are gaining excess weight. According to a recent report in the International Journal of Pediatric Obe-

sity, nearly half the children in North America will be overweight or obese by 2010. Along with those extra pounds come an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer later in life. According to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine, today’s youth may be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Healthful diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and other vegetarian foods help children stay healthy and trim. Unfortunately, many kids don’t always have the chance to eat healthful meals—at least not during the school day. The meaty, cheesy fare many schools serve is fanning the flames of the obesity epidemic. That’s why PCRM is working to improve school lunches. PCRM tracks school policies across the coun-try and makes suggestions for improvements, rewards innovative food service professionals, provides nutri-tion resources for parents and schools, and promotes changes to federal nutrition policy to make healthful food more accessible.

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Established in 1946 by the U.S. Department of Ag-riculture (USDA), the National School Lunch Program is one of five federally funded child nutrition programs that provide meals, snacks, and other food to children. The $8 billion program serves approximately 30 million lunches a day in about 100,000 schools. Schools participating in the program receive cash subsidies and commodity foods for each meal served and bonus commodities, as they are available from agricultural surplus. In return, schools must serve lunches that meet federal nutrition requirements, which require that meals contain no more than 30 percent of calories from fat and no more than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat.

The

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Lunch(And What PCRM Is Doing

About Them)

The USDA’s commodity purchase system makes it hard for food service

directors to choose healthier foods when chicken nuggets and hot dogs

are essentially free.



At least, that’s what is supposed to happen. In real-ity, many food service directors find themselves serving sausage pizza, Salisbury steak, and cheeseburgers. The result is that 80 percent of schools violate the USDA’s limits on fat in their foods. What’s going on? Part of the problem is the USDA’s commodity system purchases hundreds of millions of pounds of pork, beef, and other animal products as a means of removing surpluses and boosting agricultural profits. It then dumps these products on schools. This system makes it hard for food service directors to choose healthier foods when chicken nuggets and hot dogs are essentially free. A second problem is subsidies. Between 1995 and 2004, nearly three-quarters of the entire U.S. expendi-ture for agricultural subsidies—$62 billion—went to feed crops and direct aid supporting meat and dairy production. Less than 1 percent went to subsidizing fruit and vegetable production. As a result, meat and dairy products are less expensive to produce, giving them an edge in the marketplace. These programs are part of the Farm Bill. As this legislation came up for renewal in late 2007, PCRM and its supporters made sure these issues were at the forefront of discussion in newspapers, on television, and on the Senate floor. Hundreds of physicians petitioned Congress for reform. Major newspapers across the country featured letters to the editor and opinion pieces by PCRM experts. Several celebrity members—including Alec Baldwin, Bill Maher, Kevin Nealon, Alicia Silverstone, Peter Max, and Moby—made Congress and the public aware that the Farm Bill needs to be reformed. PCRM’s television advertisement, which spoofed Sen. Larry Craig’s airport bathroom arrest, was seen by viewers across the country and was discussed on televi-sion news programs, as well as in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In October, Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) introduced the FRESH Amendment, a bill that would reduce federal subsi-dies that fund foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sugar and give a boost to fruits and vegetables. More than 1,000 PCRM members called or e-mailed their sena-tors and asked them to support this healthy change to the Farm Bill.

A Report Card for School Lunches

PCRM’s School Lunch Report Card highlights what is actually being served in some of the nation’s 2007 Golden Carrot Award grand prize winners Glendora Green and Stuart Spears

largest school districts, and each year the report card is widely covered by the press and discussed by the schools themselves. To score well, a school must not only meet the USDA nutrition requirements, but also serve a veg-etarian, preferably nondairy, main dish daily, offer a variety of fresh or low-fat vegetable side dishes and fresh fruits, make a nondairy beverage available, and provide nutrition education in the cafeteria and through other programs. While too many school districts continue to em-phasize less-than-healthful choices, the availability of healthful vegetarian and vegan entrées is increasing. This year, PCRM dietitians noted that 64 percent of the school districts regularly feature vegan selections on their menus or offer them upon request. In 2007, Florida’s Pinellas County Schools received top marks, with menus that regularly include vegetar-ian items, such as black beans and rice, vegetarian chili, a veggie burger wrap sandwich, and a variety of vegan salads. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District in North Carolina, Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, and San Diego Unified School District all also scored highly.

The Golden Carrot

To reward food service professionals who are doing an exceptional job of improving the healthfulness of

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Every day, thousands of animals are experimented on or killed to create and test drugs that will never

help a sick human being. In some cases, animal tests suggest that a new drug is dangerous when in fact it would be quite safe for humans; yet the drug is aban-doned. In other cases, drugs appear safe in animal tests when in fact they are dangerous to humans. In both cases, a drug’s effect in animals makes for a very inexact predictor of its effect on people. The push for non-animal testing methods comes from scientists concerned about both the humane aspects of animal testing and the need for better test-ing methods. Unfortunately, the fact that new and accurate non-animal test methods have been developed does not mean they will be used. The pharmaceutical industry is often shy about using methods that break from tradition. In a petition filed November 14 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, PCRM and an international coalition of scientists, doctors, and animal-protection organizations asked the agency to mandate the use of validated non-animal testing methods, when those alternatives exist, to create safer drugs for American consumers. The Mandatory Alternatives Petition, or MAP, points to a series of recent tragedies in which phar-maceutical products that seemed safe in animal tests injured or killed consumers or participants in clinical trials. Vioxx, a painkiller that appeared beneficial to the heart in mouse studies, was withdrawn from the market after it was shown to be the likely cause of thousands of fatal cardiac events in people. Merck’s HIV vaccine appeared safe and effective when tested in monkeys. Subsequently, a large international clinical trial was halted when Merck’s new vaccine appeared to make humans more susceptible to HIV infection. The MAP coalition points out that more than 90 percent of drugs tested in people after seemingly suc-cessful animal tests are not approved for wider use because they don’t work or they are unsafe. Half of the remainder are later withdrawn or relabeled with new warnings of adverse effects not detected by animal tests. Adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of death in the United States. To improve the testing process and reduce drug risks, the MAP coalition urges wider use of human-centered research methods such as microdos-ing, tissue studies, and virtual drug trials, all of which


Research IssuesNutrition and Prevention

school lunches, PCRM introduced the Golden Car-rot Awards in 2004. In 2007, top honors were shared by the head chefs at two Chicago charter schools: Stuart Spears of the Betty Shabazz International Charter School and Glendora Green of Barbara Sizemore Academy. All foods served at both schools, which are run by the

same organization, are vegetarian, and vegan options are offered daily. Daily offerings include veggie gumbo with tofu, pinto beans and rice with col-lards and corn bread, “steak” sandwiches, jerk tofu, curry tofu

with noodles, and vegetarian soups. Soy and rice milk and juice are available at no additional cost, and fresh fruit and a garden salad are provided daily. The vegetarian items are discussed as part of the schoolwide science and health curricula. Second-place prizes went to nutritionists, teach-ers, and food service professionals in Seattle; Berke-ley, Calif.; Cambridge, Mass.; and Wayne, Pa. Ann Cooper, nutrition director at the Berkeley Unified School District, offers vegetarian main courses every day, and every school in the district has a salad bar. Dana Rigato is the food service director of Seattle’s Jewish Day School, where all lunches are vegetarian: Students enjoy veggie burgers, vegetarian “chicken” nuggets, homemade soups, and a full salad bar. Val-ley Forge Middle School guidance counselor Sheri Demaris and family consumer science teacher Lisa Norley run an innovative program in Wayne, Pa., in which students learn to prepare nutritious vegan meals. Dawn Olcott, a nutritionist who works with Cambridge Public Schools, helped her district offer more fruits, vegetables, and vegetarian meals.

Resources for Schools and Parents

School lunch offerings have slowly improved over the last several years, but most schools have a long way to go. PCRM offers resources for parents and schools at www.HealthySchoolLunches.org, includ-ing helpful links, book titles, and downloadable booklets and fact sheets. And more nutrition tips and healthful recipes for students, parents, and the whole family are available at www.NutritionMD.org.

While too many school districts continue to emphasize less-than-healthful choices, the availability of healthful vegetarian and vegan entrées is increasing.


Research Issues


are highly effective and entail essentially no risk. Ethically conducted, human-centered research spares the lives of countless monkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and other animals each year. Animals in labo-ratories suffer when forced to ingest toxic substances or undergo painful procedures, but they also experience profound stress just from routine laboratory procedures, like handling and blood draws. The MAP calls on the FDA to emulate the European Union regulation that requires the use of non-animal and other alternate testing methods, when available. If the FDA does not act within six months, the petitioners will consider further legal action. “One of the reasons that dangerous drugs have been left on the market is that regulators have allowed drug companies to use misleading animal tests,” says PCRM senior medical adviser John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C.

This fall, when Cavender Salvadori’s seventh-grade science teacher announced that the class would be

dissecting a lamb’s heart, Cavender refused to let his opinions go unheard. A 13-year-old vegetarian who tries to support the humane treatment of animals, Cavender raised his hand to announce that he objected based on moral grounds and would not be participating in the dissection. “I find it disrespectful to the animal being dissected,” Cavender said. “When I see a dead animal, it makes me sad if humans caused their deaths.” He also expressed concerns about dissection for ecological reasons: “Many of the animals used for dissection are taken from the wild even if they are part of a decreas-ing population.” Cavender’s teacher will allow students who object to the dissection to use non-animal learning methods. Cavender is just one of thousands of students who will be assigned to perform a dissection in science class this year, even though studies have repeatedly shown that non-animal learning methods teach as well—or even better—than animal dissection. In addition, non-animal methods are ethical, are better for the environ-ment, and save schools money. To find out more about dissection and what you can do to help transition your local schools to modern, humane teaching methods,


Cavender Salvadori, age 13, and his science teacher, Mike Smith, at Wilmington Friends School in Wilmington, Del.

Compassion at Every Age

Action AlertThe Food and Drug Administration needs to hear from you! More than 15,000 PCRM members have already signed petitions that are being sent to the FDA. Please write to the FDA commissioner and politely urge the organization to mandate the use of validated alternatives to animal tests:

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., CommissionerU.S. Food and Drug Administration5600 Fishers LaneRockville, MD 20857

“The Food and Drug Administration could avert these tragedies by focusing on more accurate methods.” To learn more about the MAP, visit http://www.alternatives-petition.org.

visit www.DissectionAlternatives.org. Thanks to Cav-ender for setting such a great example of conscientious objection in the classroom!


2007 Year in Review

This has been a remarkable year for PCRM. From encouraging the replacement of live animal labs in medical schools to fighting for good nutrition

in the halls of Congress, we’ve expanded our reach tre-mendously. PCRM has had great success in bringing national attention to important health and research issues all year long. Here is just a sample of some of our successes and updates on our ongoing campaigns.

Animal-Free Education

Medical schools across the country have continued the trend of replacing live animal labs with non-animal methods. This year, PCRM learned that eight more schools have ended their live animal labs—including

the last medical school in New York to use live ani-mals—and that nine new schools will be opening their doors to cruelty-free education. Six allopathic (M.D.) medical schools—Washington University School of Medicine, New York Medical Col-lege, Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medi-cine—all confirmed that they no longer use live animals to teach basic concepts in physiology, pharmacology, and surgery. Additionally, two osteopathic (D.O.) schools—Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine—confirmed the same switch, completing the conversion of U.S. osteopathic education to non-animal methods. Nine new medical schools opening between 2007 and 2009 are following the trend of non-animal methods: Every new school established in the past quarter-century has not used live animals in its curriculum. PCRM played a key role in encouraging this trend. Early in 2007, PCRM campaigned for the end of dog labs at the Medical College of Wisconsin by hosting a protest at the school, delivering a petition signed by more than 550 physicians, and sponsoring a billboard. PCRM’s campaign to end the dog labs at New York Medical College heated up right before the school’s November 26 announcement that first-year physiol-ogy students will now undergo echocardiograms while instructors demonstrate physiology principles. PCRM supporters sent more than 1,300 e-mails, phone calls, and letters to the dean of the School of Medicine and the director of the dog lab, urging them to end the dog lab and implement humane alternatives. This school was the fourth—and last—medical school in New York to replace animal labs in the last 18 months.

YEAR IN REVIEW

CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

2007

PCRM’s first continuing medical education program in April

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2007 Year in Review

Despite these successes, 10 U.S. schools are still using living animal labs. Visit www.PCRM.org to learn more and find out how you can help.

Case Closed on Dairy Deception

All those slick advertisements that featured celebrities wearing milk moustaches and touting the weight-loss benefits of dairy products will come to an end, thanks to a petition filed by PCRM with the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and two national dairy organizations agreed in June to halt this $200 million advertising campaign because existing research does not support the weight-loss claims. The petition charged that advertising campaigns linking dairy product consumption to weight loss were false and misleading. These campaigns included the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board’s “Milk your diet. Lose weight!” and the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board’s “3-a-Day. Burn More Fat, Lose Weight” promotions. Out of 27 randomized, controlled research trials in-vestigating the effects of dairy products on body weight, only three—all conducted by Michael Zemel, Ph.D., a researcher funded by the National Dairy Council and yogurt manufacturers—showed a link between dairy consumption and weight loss. Research conducted by

PCRM’s senior nutrition scientist, Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., and published in

Obesity Research in 2005, pointed out that none of his studies report the degree to which participants

reduced their caloric intakes, the most likely cause of weight loss. These ads are just one way the dairy industry deceives the public about the healthfulness of its products. In response to PCRM’s peti-tion, an agreement was reached to discontinue all advertising

and other marketing activities involving weight-loss claims pending further research into the issue.

Celebrities Help Spread the Word

This year, several celebrities helped spread PCRM’s messages about good nutrition and ethical research. Two public service announcements (PSAs) received the VIP treatment with new voice-overs from award-win-ning television journalist Geraldo Rivera and House’s

Lisa Edelstein. Rivera voices PCRM’s first Spanish-language PSA, “El Poder de la Alimentación,” which relays the good news that heart disease and cancer, top killers of Hispanic-Americans, can be largely pre-vented or managed through a healthy vegetarian diet. Edelstein’s narration appears in “Crash Course,” a new Cancer Project PSA that discusses the importance of protecting children from disease. Several celebrities also helped with PCRM’s efforts to reform the Farm Bill to phase out long-standing government programs that channel billions of dol-lars to support meat production. Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Kevin Nealon, Moby, and Peter Max all signed letters to Sen. Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. As a decision on the Farm Bill grew closer, Silverstone recorded a voicemail message to more than 3,000 people asking them to call their senators in support of the FRESH Amendment. An Associated Press piece about Silverstone’s voice message ran in USA Today, The Miami Herald, The Salt Lake Tribune, and other national papers.

Covance Campaign Continues

All year long, PCRM fought against the construction of a giant Covance Laboratories animal-testing facility


Top: Geraldo Rivera, Lisa Edelstein, Alicia Silverstone, and Bill Maher. Bottom: Kevin Nealon, Moby, and Peter Max.

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2007 Year in Review

in Chandler, Ariz. At a hearing before the Maricopa County Air Quality Department in April, PCRM joined public health advocates in speaking out against Covance’s application for an air quality permit. Despite the many valid concerns raised by local residents about how Covance will be disposing of thousands of chemi-cal-laden animal carcasses each year, Covance broke ground on its Chandler facility the first week of June. This, however, did not mark the end of the fight. PCRM and 12 Chandler residents, most of whom live within a mile and some within 300 feet of the construction site, filed a lawsuit against the city of Chandler. The suit claims that city officials violated the City Code in secretly meeting to discuss the rezoning for Covance and failing to give proper notice for pub-lic hearings on the matter, in addition to improperly approving Covance’s building permits for what will essentially function as a veterinary facility on property zoned for light industrial use. The judge will likely issue a written ruling in early 2008.

Little Secret Becomes National News

As the Farm Bill came up for renewal in Con-gress this fall, PCRM produced a commercial ex-posing a disturb-ing relationship between U.S. senators draft-ing the Farm Bill and huge agri-business corpo-rations receiving massive federal

subsidies. The ad, “Dirty Little Secret,” threw a spot-light on contributions from agribusiness political action committees, which have given more than $5 million over the past four election cycles to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. In return, many large agriculture companies scored huge commodity contracts. The commercial was featured on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hard Ball with Chris Matthews, and Good Morning America, and in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The spot has been viewed on YouTube.com more than 25,000 times.

NEW ONLINE RESOURCESLogging On to Better Health This spring, PCRM launched NutritionMD.org, a comprehensive Web site that helps health care profes-sionals and consumers understand the links between healthy eating and good health. The site offers hun-dreds of recipes, tips on weight management, and information on the risk factors, typical treatments, and nutri-tional considerations for dozens of medical conditions, from acne to Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also a meal planner that helps users select a healthful meal plan, along with nutrient analyses, recipes, and a shopping list.

Food for Life for Diabetes

More than 20 million Americans are living with type 2 diabetes, and many are looking for a healthy way to manage their condition. PCRM’s new diabetes Web site provides easy-to-understand nutrition infor-mation, healthy recipes, and a step-by-step guide for making diet changes. Visitors will find a video support group featuring presentations by PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., and cooking demonstrations from staff dietitians. PCRM nutrition experts also monitor the Get-Healthy Club, an online message board where people ask questions and share stories about using a low-fat vegan diet to manage their diabetes. Visit www.PCRM.org/diabetes to take advantage of any of these free resources.

When Advertisements Are Badvertisements PCRM asked Web visitors to vote on the most deceptive TV advertisements on television, and the “badverstisement” results are in. The commercials were presented in three categories. In the first poll, Burger


2007 Year in Review

King’s “Eat Like a Man” anthem was voted the worst men’s health com-mercial, edging out ads by T.G.I. Friday’s and Hummer. A Fiber Choice commercial, which sug-gests that it is nearly impossible to get enough fiber without using supplements, was voted the most deceptive in the medications and supplements category. The final poll featured commercials using health and beauty claims to sell dairy products to women. The winner, with 37 percent of the vote, was a Nesquik ad that claims chocolate milk will help kids’ bodies by “building strong bones, one glass at a time.”

Pass the Virtual Scalpel Thanks to advances in technology, students can now learn vertebrate anatomy without harming ani-mals, using the “digital scalpel” in a virtual dissection program called Digital Frog. PCRM has given away almost 4,000 copies of Digital Frog II to students,

teachers, and parents who re-quested a copy through our DissectionAlternatives.org Web site. Digital Frog II is an inter-active CD-ROM that uses ani-mation, video, narration, and still images to create a realis-tic—and harmless—dissec-tion experience for students.

EVENTSThe Art of Compassion Hundreds of PCRM members and friends came out to support and raise funds for PCRM’s important work at the Art of Compassion Gala at the historic Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on April 14. Alec Baldwin, the evening’s master of ceremonies, was joined by Marilu Henner, House’s Lisa Edelstein, Persia White of TV’s Girlfriends, musi-cian Moby, and daytime drama stars Peggy McCay and Grant Aleksander. Partygoers enjoyed delicious vegan food catered by Sublime, Millennium, Candle 79, and macrobiotic chef Eric Lachasseur and were

entertained by international music star Shani Rigsbee. Silent auction items included a personalized portrait by artist Peter Max, celebrity-autographed scrubs, a private dinner and concert donated by Alec Baldwin and Moby, and much more.

The highlight of the evening was the awards presen-tation. The Art of Compassion award was presented by the 2005 recipient, Nanci Alexander, to Daran Haber, M.D., for his commitment to compassion in research and medicine. David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D., creator of the glycemic index, received the Benjamin Spock Award for Compassion in Medicine. And the Henry J. Heimlich Award for Innovative Medicine was presented by Dr. Heimlich himself to Randal Charl-ton, founder and CEO of Asterand, a biotechnology company that is revolutionizing scientific research with new non-animal testing methods.

Second Annual Cancer Symposium Top medical re-searchers and health care professionals from across the nation at-tended The Cancer Project’s 2007 Can-cer and Nutrition Symposium. Cancer Project president Neal Barnard, M.D., June Chan, Sc.D., T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Lawrence Kushi, Sc.D., and John McDougall, M.D., spoke at the event, held in July in Bethesda, Md. Presentations from the 2006 symposium can be viewed at www.CancerProject.org.

June Chan, Sc.D., speaks about about dietary risk factors for pancreatic and prostate cancers.

Daran Haber, M.D.; David J.A. Jenkins, M.D. Ph.D., Sc.D.; and Randal Charlton

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2007 Year in Review


Educating Health Care Professionals

PCRM broke new ground this year by offering con-tinuing medical education (CME) programs for health care professionals. In April, PCRM partnered with George Washington University to offer a CME program on several topics, including cardiovascular health, dia-betes management, and cancer prevention and survival. The speakers were Neal D. Barnard, M.D.; Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D.; Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H.; David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D.; Gordon Saxe, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.; and Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.-ADM, C.D.E. More than 200 health care professionals attended. PCRM also partnered with the Medical Education Collaborative to offer CME programs on the use of vegan diets for diabetes in Bethesda, Md., San Antonio, Atlanta, and Ann Arbor, Mich. The courses focused on the science base for vegan diets and tools for implement-ing this approach with patients.

Nutrition Guide for Clinicians Medical students across the country do not always get the nutrition education they will need to help their future patients adopt better eating habits. So PCRM created a 900-page Nutrition Guide for Clinicians and made it available free of charge to every second-year medical student in the United States and Canada.

The comprehensive manual provides basic infor-mation about nearly 100 diseases and conditions, including risk factors and typical treatments, and also provides evidence-based information on how nutrition plays a role in prevention and treatment. In addition, the guide contains in-depth information on general nutrition, including the roles of macronutrients and micronutrients and specific nutritional requirements for all stages of life. The Nutrition Guide for Clinicians will continue to be distributed to approximately 19,000 students every year and will be updated periodically to ensure students are getting the latest information.

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes Last year, PCRM members heard all about the ground-breaking research that showed a low-fat vegan diet can help treat type 2 diabetes more effectively than a standard dia-betes diet. This year, thousands of Americans received the same good news with the release of Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes. The book, released in January through Rodale, is based on a series of studies conducted by Dr. Barnard and his colleagues. The most recent study, funded by

the National Institutes of Health and pub-lished in the July 2006 issue of Diabetes Care, found a low-fat vegan diet to be three times more effective than the American Diabetes Association diet at con-trolling blood sugar.

Between January and April, Dr. Barnard visited more than 35 cities across the country. Many of the lectures featured local chefs demonstrating a few of the more than 50 delicious dishes included in the book. After the book tour, scores of enthusiastic people called and e-mailed to share how the program helped them to lose weight, lower their cholesterol, and stop their diabetes medications. Several of these success stories can be read on www.pcrm.org/diabetes.

BOOKS REACH A WIDE AUDIENCE Dr. Barnard explains his diabetes

program in Phoenix.

PCRM president Neal D. Barnard, M.D., addresses participants at the organization’s first continuing medical education session in Washington, D.C.

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Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good One PCRM expert’s book and lecture tour took him to far-flung parts of the world this year. Animal behavior expert Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D., traveled to India in January and to Australia and New Zea-land in July to discuss themes from his 2006 book, Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good.

This book presents new evidence that animals—like humans—enjoy themselves. It debunks the popular perception that life for most is a grim struggle for survival and the avoidance of pain. Instead, it suggests that all creatures feel good thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort, and more. Dr. Balcombe’s India tour covered 10 cities, with presentations at 15 medical colleges and veterinary schools, plus five press conferences. In Australia and New Zealand, he gave 18 lectures. The two tours generated more than 30 media stories.

Dr. Balcombe presents ideas from Pleasurable Kingdom to an Indian audience.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

2007 CONSOLIDATED FISCAL YEAR REPORT

SUPPORT AND REVENUE

EXPENSES

Contributions and Donations .........$ 8,326,331Legacies and Bequests .......................$ 889,453Grants ..................................................$ 122,258Other Revenue .................................$ 1,064,598

TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE .. $ 10,402,640

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 effectiveness in research.

PCRM Board of Directors: Neal D. Barnard, M.D., President; Mark Sklar, M.D., Director; Russell Bunai, M.D., Secretary and Treasurer

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible. PCRM, 5100 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, (202) 686-2210, www.pcrm.org

80.04%Contributions and Donations

8.55%Legacies and Bequests

1.18%Grants

10.23%Other Revenue

Interest, dividends, royalties, merchandise

sales, and other incomeNet Assets, End of Year $ 14,303,597

82.19%Program Services

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

Publications, Public Education, Communications

7.86%Membership Development/

Fundraising

9.95%General Operations

Program ServicesResearch Advocacy ..........$ 2,655,396Clinical Research .................. $ 701,050Nutrition Education .........$ 2,920,722Legal Advocacy .................... $ 937,578Publications ........................... $ 488,911Public Education ...............$ 1,036,827Communications .................$ 722,890Total Program Services ...................$ 9,463,374Development ...................................... $ 905,052Operational .....................................$ 1,145,509

TOTAL EXPENSES .......................... $ 11,513,935



The Cancer Project UpdateThe Cancer Project

Changing Lives in 2007As The Cancer Project staff looks back on 2007, we

see a year filled with more than 2,200 Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Classes in 81 cities nationwide, record-breaking attendance at our annual Cancer and Nutrition Symposium, new webcasts from top research-

ers available on

Dear Cancer Project,

When my 34-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in July 2004, her gastroenterologist suspected a genetic link. When DNA testing did not support that theory, he told us it was apparently just “bad luck.”

Since my daughter’s death in February of this year, I have been trying to figure out why such a young, spirited woman was felled by a disease that is most prevalent in people over 50. My questioning led me to study the link between diet and cancer, and I have now read numerous books on the subject.

When my children were growing up, most of our meals centered on animal products, as mine did growing up. Then, for most of her adult life, my working-mom daughter primarily ate fast food. I will never know if poor diet caused her disease, but authors like T. Colin Campbell and John Robbins certainly make a convincing argument for drawing that conclusion.

Because of what I have learned, I adopted a meatless diet. I sincerely hope my family and friends will heed my warning about the proven connection between animal products and disease and consider changing the way they eat as well.

After Chandra’s long battle with cancer, I wanted to make a donation to help others, but I didn’t want to throw more money at the same research that has been going on for decades while cancer deaths continue to rise. Because of everything I’ve read about the link between diet and disease, I made a donation to The Cancer Project in Chandra’s memory to help the organization educate people about some very simple ways they can take control of their own health.

Thank you to The Cancer Project for taking a stand and doing this important work.

Yours truly, Deborah L. Pace

our Web site, public service announcements focusing on prevention for kids, and most importantly, a poignant collection of stories that make our work worthwhile, like the one below from Deborah Pace in Indiana. Thank you for supporting another meaningful year at The Cancer Project.

In Memory of Chandra Lynne Solivais

Feb. 27, 1970 — Feb. 9, 2007


The News You NeedThe Cancer Project

www.CancerProject.orgThe Cancer Project is a nonprofit PCRM subsidiary that advances cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research.


By Chelsea Lenge, R.D., and Neal D. Barnard, M.D.

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New Study Links Cancer to Body Weight

A new study published in the British Medical Journal adds more evidence showing that excess weight

increases cancer risk. Following 1.2 million women from the Million Women Study, researchers found that increasing weight was associated with increased risk for 10 out of 17 specific types of cancer. Similarly, overweight increased the risk for death for most types of cancer. For information on how a low-fat vegetar-ian diet can help you trim excess weight, visit www.CancerProject.org. Reeves GK, Pirie K, Beral V, Green J, et al. Cancer incidence and mortality in relation to body mass index in the Million Women Study: cohort study. BMJ 2007; published online Nov. 6, 2007.

Red and Processed Meat Consumption Significantly Increases Cancer Risk

The American Cancer Institute of Research and the World Cancer Research Fund recently published

a new comprehensive report on diet, physical activity, and cancer. The report was written by an international panel of researchers who reviewed more than 7,000 large-scale studies, and it included 10 new lifestyle and diet recommendations for cancer prevention. The report found that even small amounts of alcohol and red and processed meats can significantly increase cancer risk, and that no amount of processed meats is completely safe. Every 1.7 ounces of processed meat consumed a day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent. The report also found that excess body fat increases the risk of cancer of the colon, kidney, pancreas, esophagus, and uterus, as well as post-menopausal breast cancer.World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physi-cal activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspec-tive. Washington DC: AICR, 2007.

Calcium, Dairy Products, and Prostate Cancer Incidence

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP Diet and Health Study is the largest ongoing study in

the world examining the relationship between diet and health. In 1995, study researchers assessed dairy and calcium intake in a group of volunteers. After six years of follow-up, a total of 10,180 prostate cancer cases were identified. Skim milk intake was associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. Calcium supplementation intake was also positively associated with advanced prostate cancer; however, the results were not significant. In contrast, calcium intake from plant foods was shown to have a potential protective effect against non-advanced prostate cancer. Common plant sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, beans, sesame seeds, and tofu.Park Y, Mitrou PN, Kipnis V, Hollenbeck A, Schatzkin A, Leitzmann MF. Calcium, dairy foods, and risk of incident and fatal prostate cancer: the NIH-AARP diet and health study. Am J Epidemiol. Dec. 1, 2007;166(11):1270-1279.

Processed Meats and Dairy Products Positively Associated with Pancreatic Cancer Risk

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related

mortality. A case-control study conducted between 1995 and 1999 by researchers at the University of Cali-fornia, San Francisco, evaluated the association between animal protein, dietary fat, and dairy products and risk for pancreatic cancer. When comparing highest versus lowest intake for certain foods, beef, processed meats, lamb, eggs, and dairy products all showed positive as-sociations with cancer risk. Total dietary cholesterol, animal fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat were also found to correspond to an increase in pancreatic cancer risk. Chan JM, Wang F, Holly EA. Pancreatic cancer, animal protein and dietary fat in a popula-tion-based study, San Francisco Bay Area, California. Cancer Causes & Control. December 2007;18(10):1153-67.


Member Support


Please send me information about:

bequests gift annuities other planned gifts

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE/PROVINCE

ZIP/POSTAL CODE COUNTRY

E-MAIL PHONE

Please mail to: The PCRM Foundation, Attn: Membership Dept.5100 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 400Washington, DC 20016

Or visit our planned-giving Web site at http://pcrm.planyourlegacy.org. GM08WN

How to Get Involved

One of the things I like best about my work at PCRM is frequently getting

to talk to our members, and one of the most inspiring questions I get asked is “What else can I do to help?” It’s this level of dedication to PCRM’s work that drives us forward, and there are always areas where your help is needed. Here are a few suggestions for your 2008 to-do list:

Distribute our Vegetarian Starter Kit to your friends, family, and neighbors. Leave our Vegetarian Starter Kit at your local library, community center, food co-op, or place of worship. You may have to ask permission to do this, but many places welcome the distribution of veg-friendly materials. Request a free supply from [email protected] or call 202-686-2210, ext. 304.

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. See an article about nutrition

or ethics in research that you’d like to re-spond to? Send a letter to the editor—and send us a copy if you get published! Our Web site has letter-writing tips to get you started.

Ask the March of Dimes sponsors to end their support for animal experi-ments. By educating corporate sponsors about the March of Dimes’ inhumane and ineffective animal experiments, we can encourage sponsors to end their support of the March of Dimes or at least restrict donations to non-animal programs. Our Web site has a list of national and regional March of Dimes sponsors, as well as a sample letter to send them.

Contact medical schools that con-tinue to use live animals in teaching. While the majority of medical schools in the United States have replaced live animal labs with modern and humane al-ternatives, a few medical schools continue to use them. If your local universities or alma mater is still on the list, please write school officials to express your concerns about these exercises. Visit our Web site for the latest list of schools.

For more suggestions on how to get involved, visit www.PCRM.org or call membership coordinator Brian Halprin at 202-686-2210, ext. 304. Thank you for your continuing commitment to PCRM’s efforts!

BETSY WASON, C.F.R.E. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Renowned Author Martha Grimes Donates Dakota Proceeds to PCRMNew York Times best-selling writer Martha Grimes, author of the internationally popular Richard Jury murder mystery series, is generously donating a portion of the royalties from her new novel to PCRM. Available on February 12, Dakota is the story of Andi Oliver, an amnesiac who takes a job at a massive pig-farming facility in North Dakota. As she uncovers the dark truth about the slaughterhouse, Andi must contend with two men who are on her trail. To meet Ms. Grimes and thank her in person for her support, members are invited to lectures and book signings of Dakota on Febru-ary 19 at Book Soup in Los Angeles and on February 26 at Olsson’s bookstore in Washington, D.C. The D.C. book signing is also a chance to meet PCRM president Dr. Neal Barnard. For more in-formation, visit www.pcrm.org/events.

Winter 2008 GOOD MEDICINE 19 Winter 2008 GOOD MEDICINE 19

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On November 9, a group of philan-thropists gathered in Fort Lauder-

dale, Fla., to mix business with pleasure at a fundraising cocktail reception to benefit PCRM. Hosts Shabnam Alibhai and Sofiya and Michael Johnson gra-

“The kindest thing you can do for ani-mals is to get them off your plate.”

Nanci Alexander’s words at PCRM’s Art of Compassion Gala in April 2007 reflect her life’s mission of building a compas-sionate and healthy society. And there’s no doubt that Nanci backs up her words with action. In 1989, Nanci founded the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) and has served as its president ever since. ARFF put an end to many petting zoos and cruel animal exhibits, opened a mo-bile free spay/neuter clinic, and brought about the cancellation of annual dove hunts held by Boy Scouts and a ban on carriage horses in two Florida cities. ARFF took a leading role in a hard-fought and successful battle to ban the use of gestation crates for pigs in Florida, the first time in U.S. history in which a specific fac-tory-farming practice was banned. Nanci also donates her time and resources as an outspoken activist for many national and local animal organizations.

In 2003, Nanci built one of the world’s truly great restaurants. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sublime is a shining example of culinary art, with an extraordinarily varied menu of perfectly prepared and beautifully presented offer-ings, surrounded by Peter Max paintings and waterfalls. Small wonder Sublime has won the highest accolades in both local and national press (as you’ll see at www.Sublimeveg.com). But the restaurant’s pur-pose runs deeper. Sooner or later, each din-er comes to realize that every delicious bite is made entirely of plant-based ingredients. Cruelty is definitely not on the menu. In addition, 100 percent of Sublime’s profits go to organizations that promote animal welfare and a vegan lifestyle.

In 2005, Nanci Alexander was the first recipient of the PCRM Art of Compassion Award, which recognizes an individual whose life and work exemplify an extraordinary degree of compassion, extending this value as broadly as pos-sible. Nanci Alexander is a brilliant visionary, working tirelessly to build a more compassionate world.

An Evening Under the Stars

ciously welcomed more than 100 PCRM members and guests into their penthouse paradise for an evening of delicious food and camaraderie. PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., and director of toxicology and research Chad Sandusky,

Ph.D., shared with partygoers the latest developments in PCRM’s efforts in the areas of nutrition and research. Special thanks to our hosts, Nanci Alexander, Sublime Restaurant, and Bank United of Southern Florida.

Above: Sofiya Johnson, Neal Barnard, Shabnam Alibhai, and Michael Johnson. Left: Chad Sandusky addresses guests.

Member Profile: Nanci Alexander

The Kindest Thing You Can Do for Animals…


PCRM Marketplace

Healthy Eating for Life for ChildrenPCRM with Amy Lanou, Ph.D.When children learn proper nutrition early in life, they are more likely to avoid heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Here’s how to get them started. Includes kid-tested 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 prevention. Each book includes at least 80 healthy, delicious vegetarian recipes. Forewords by PCRM president Neal D. Barnard, M.D.

Healthy Eating for Life for WomenPCRM with Kristine KieswerLearn how the right foods can ease menstrual and menopausal symptoms, strengthen bones, encourage weight loss, protect the heart, and help prevent 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 complete nutrition program to prevent and fight cancer. Packed with tips and guidelines for life-long 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 highly responsive to diet and lifestyle changes. PCRM explains these changes and how to put them into practice. 244 pgs, $14.95

PCRM Marketplace

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 aggravate 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 pgs, $19.95

Prevent and Reverse Heart DiseaseCaldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D.Drawing on findings from his 20-year study, noted surgeon and researcher Es-selstyn presents a scientifically proven, nutrition-based program that stops and reverses heart disease, even for people who have been affected for many years. More than 150 great recipes. 308 pgs, $24.95

Fat-Free and Easy: Great Meals in Minutes!Jennifer RaymondAs guest chef for Dr. Dean Ornish’s “Open Your Heart” program, Jennifer Raymond has the secret to making quick, fat-free, scrumptious, vegan recipes that will delight everyone. 152 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, researchers will find it increasingly difficult to justify the crude data accu-mulated from animal experimentation. 262 pgs, $24.99

Pleasurable KingdomAnimals and the Nature of Feeling GoodJonathan Balcombe, Ph.D.Life as experienced by animals is not a grim struggle for survival, according to animal behavior researcher Balcombe. He pres-ents persuasive evidence that animals—like humans—find enjoyment in touch, food, aesthetics, companionship, anticipation, and more. Full of insight and humor, the book poses vital ethical questions. 360 pgs, $14.95

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Nutrition Guide for CliniciansPhysicians Committee for Responsible MedicineThis comprehensive medical reference manual covers nearly 100 diseases and conditions, including risk factors, diagnoses, and typical treatments. Most importantly, it provides the latest evidence-based informa-tion on nutrition’s role in prevention and treatment. Includes an in-depth examination of general nutri-tion, macronutrients, micronutrients, and nutritional requirements for all stages of life. 884 pgs, $19.95 Special Discount $17.95

Your Vegetarian PregnancyA Month-by-Month Guide to Health and NutritionHolly Roberts, D.O., F.A.C.O.G.Fulfilling every nutritional guideline recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, this book is the first authoritative guide to maintaining a healthy plant-based diet before, during, and after the birth of your child. 378 pgs, $15.00

The Best in the WorldFast, Healthful Recipes from Exclusive and Out-of-the-Way RestaurantsNeal D. Barnard, M.D., EditorThis popular collection of wonderfully healthy recipes comes from the world’s best and most unusual restaurants. Enjoy these vegan delicacies at home. Hardcover, 71 pgs, $11.95

Dr. McDougall’s Digestive Tune-UpJohn A. McDougall, M.D.Dr. McDougall takes a candid, humorous look at how the digestive tract functions. Learn how a low-fat, cholesterol-free, plant-based diet can prevent and cure constipation, hemorrhoids, IBS, and other chronic intestinal disorders. 211 pgs, $19.95

NEW LANDMARK BOOK FROM PCRM


NOW IN PAPERBACK!

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

Greens and Grains on the Deep Blue Sea CookbookSandy Pukel, Mark HannaPerk up your galley with more than 200 popular vegetarian recipes from Costa Cruise Lines’ Taste of Health cruises. Includes appendix of more exotic ingredients and online resources. 256 pgs, $18.95

The Whole Foods Diabetic CookbookPatricia Stevenson, Michael Cook, Patricia Bertron, R.D.It’s not just about sugar anymore! A low-fat, vegetarian diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans will keep blood sugar at a more constant level and help control excess weight. Delicious recipes make it easy. Includes background info on diabetes and nutrition. 159 pgs, $12.95

NEW!


Becoming Whole: The Story of My Complete Recovery from Breast CancerMeg Wolff, Foreword by T. Colin CampbellEight years after losing a leg to bone cancer, Meg Wolff was dying of breast cancer. Conventional treatments were not expected to save her life, but Meg fought back with a macrobiotic diet and a determination to control how she would live or die. Discover Meg’s story of physical and emotional healing and how it could apply to your life. 288 pgs, $21.00

Appetite for ProfitMichele SimonLaw professor and health food policy expert Michele Si-mon exposes manipulation of consumers and government by fast-food, beverage, and processed-food corporations. The result is a national epidemic of obesity , heart disease, and diabetes. Fascinating and empowering reading. 416 pgs, $15.95

Don’t Drink Your MilkFrank Oski, M.D.Milk is the perfect food—for a calf. For humans, however, milk poses several health risks, as outlined in this very readable book by the former director of the Johns Hopkins University Department of Pediatrics. 92 pgs, $9.95

Vietnamese FusionChat MingkwanWith a fascinating blend of French, Chinese, and Indian influences throughout its various regions, Vietnam boasts a cuisine that is an intriguing fusion of the best of Asia and Europe. Chat Mingkwan transforms these time-honored recipes into vegetarian delights. 160 pgs, $14.95

The Vegetarian SolutionStewart RoseLearn how plant-based nutrition prevents disease, reduces global warming, and protects animal welfare. A comprehensive overview of the issues, loaded with thought-provoking charts and diagrams.157 pgs, $12.95

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

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes

If you have diabetes or are concerned about developing it, this program could change the course of your life. Dr. Barnard’s groundbreaking clinical studies, the latest funded by the National Institutes of Health, show that diabetes responds dramatically to a low-fat, vegetarian diet. Rather than just compensating for malfunctioning insulin like other treatment plans, Dr. Barnard’s program helps repair how the body uses insulin. Includes 50 delicious recipes. 288 pgs, $25.95

Foods That Fight PainDid you know that ginger can prevent migraines and that coffee sometimes cures them? Drawing on new research, Dr. Barnard shows readers how to soothe ev-eryday ailments and cure chronic pain with common foods. 348 pgs, $14.00

A Physician’s Slimming Guide for Permanent Weight ControlYou can succeed in becoming and staying slimmer! This book is not a diet—it’s a comprehensive program that takes the reader beyond artificial “formula ap-proaches.” 96 pgs, $7.95

Breaking the Food SeductionWe all have foods we can’t resist, foods that sabotage our health. But banishing those cravings for chocolate, cookies, cheese, or burg-ers isn’t a question of willpower, it’s a matter of biochemistry. Drawing on his own research and that of other leading institutions, Dr. Barnard reveals how diet and lifestyle changes can break the craving cycle. 324 pgs, $14.95

Turn Off the Fat GenesGenes, including those that shape our bodies, actually adapt to outside influences. Dr. Barnard explains the process and provides a three-week gene-control program complete with menus and recipes by Jen-nifer Raymond. Here are powerful tools for achieving long-term weight loss and better health. Paperback, 350 pgs, $14.00

Food for LifeThe breakthrough book on aging, heart disease, cancer, weight control, and general health. Preface by Dean Ornish, M.D. Loads of tips on changing your diet, 21 days of menus, plus delicious recipes by Jennifer Raymond. 334 pgs, $14.00

The Nutrition Rainbow PosterThe more naturally colorful your meal is, the more likely it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting nutrients. Pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors represent a variety of protective compounds. The Nutrition Rainbow poster shows the cancer-fighting and immune-boosting power of different-hued foods. 17”x22”, $6.00

Prescription for Life PosterThis whimsical work of art introduces your patients to the importance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans in cancer prevention and survival. It also tells how to obtain free information about nutrition, recipes, and classes from The Cancer Project. 17”x22”, $6.00

The Survivor’s Handbook:Eating Right for Cancer SurvivalFind out how foods fight cancer and the advantages of a high-fiber, low-fat, dairy- and meat-free diet. Includes updates from the latest research, special prostate and breast cancer sections, tips for making the dietary transition, and recipes. Spi-ral bound, 145 pgs, $14.95

Eating Right for Cancer Survival videoThis groundbreaking new video is designed to work hand-in-hand with the companion Survivor’s Hand-book. Together they’ll provide you with empowering information on how simple, everyday choices can cause major changes in your health and well be-ing. Contains eight presentations by Neal Barnard, M.D., Jennifer Reilly, R.D., and Amy Lanou, Ph.D. 103 mins.DVD $14.95VHS $14.95

SPECIAL VIDEO /HANDBOOK COMBO OFFERDVD / Handbook $24.95VHS / Handbook $24.95

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The New Four Food Groups Grocery Tote Bag

This ample canvas bag measures 12"x16.5"x7". Green on natural

white. $10.00

From PCRM

Bumper Sticker Full color. $1.00

Vegetarian Starter KitIt’s all here. Learn about the power of a plant-food diet for fighting disease and maintaining a healthy weight. Get the facts on vegan diets for pregnant women, babies, and children. Try delicious sample recipes. Debunk common 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 forest green. $11.95

Show your support for humane research with

Humane Charity Seal of Approval Items

Refrigerator Magnet Full color, 2"x3!". $1.00

Go Vegan Multilingual ApronVeg-friendly phrases in ten languages. 21"x 28" gourmet apron with pocket. Cream on forest green. $13.95

PCRM Marketplace

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Choose Health! Four Food Groups Poster Striking color photos illustrate PCRM’s New Four Food Groups for complete nutrition without cholesterol and excess fat. Includes serving recommendations. 22"x17", $6.00

Cartoon Four Food Groups PosterPCRM’s colorful and informative guide to nutritional recommendations, illustrated for younger eaters. 22"x17", $6.00

New Four Food Groups Place Mats Four color ful guides to the New Four Food Groups. The flip side provides cooking and food storage tips, unmasks dietary myths, and suggests additional reading. 17"x11", $12.00

Guía de Iniciación para una Dieta VegetarianaThe Spanish-language version of PCRM’s popular Vegetarian Starter Kit. $2.00


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More Americans Agree: Animal Testing Is WrongMore than one-third of Americans disagree with testing on animals, accord-ing to Gallup’s 2007 Values and Beliefs Survey. Of the 1,003 people polled, 37 percent said medical testing on animals is morally wrong. Poll results also showed that young people are the least likely to approve of medical testing on animals.

Small Cars, Big DriversMore and more overweight Americans exceed the maximum weight allowed for passengers and cargo for safety purposes by the government. Weight limits reflect a mandated federal formula that car manufacturers rate passengers at 150 pounds each, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pegged average weights at 190 pounds for men and 163 pounds for women.

Where’s the Beef? Out of Business. Topps Meat Company has been forced out of business after having to recall more than 21 million pounds of ground beef products that may have been contaminat-ed with the potentially fatal E. coli bacteria strain O157:H7 this past fall. This incident is the second-largest recall in U.S. history.

Go Veg to Save the PlanetFollowing a vegetarian diet can do a lot more than protect your health and save animals’ lives. Eating less meat might also help slow global warming, according to a recent study in The Lancet. Experts found that reducing global meat consumption by 10 percent would reduce the amount of methane gas produced by the animals, a major contributor to global warming.

Chronic Disease Blows Hole in America’s Wallet Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases may cost America’s economy $6 trillion by 2050 unless steps are taken to prevent illness. More than 162 million cases of chronic disease cost more than $1 trillion in medical treatment and productivity losses in 2003, according to a recent report by the Milken Institute.

Fishy Recommendations When the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition set forth fish consumption recommendations for pregnant women that contradict limits set by federal agencies, health care professionals nationwide began asking questions. Turns out the coalition’s leadership took thousands of dollars from the fishing industry to promote the recommendation for pregnant women to eat at least 12 ounces of fish per week and did not share their recommendations with coalition members before releasing them to the public. Several coali-tion members, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have disputed the coalition’s recommendations.

No Doughnut JokesWhen Sgt. Scott Cary of the Austin Police Department traded in his diet of fried chicken, pizza, and burgers for vegan cuisine, he dropped 10 pounds in one month and watched his cholesterol plummet. Now his mission is to whip the police force into shape with the Austin Police Department Running Team. As the department’s new peer-to-peer counselor coordinator and wellness sergeant, Cary will lead by example and encourage 1,400 officers and 600 civilian employees to exercise and eat right.

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When Jina Shah traveled to India in her youth, she was struck by the poverty she saw. She wanted to

help people in less privileged areas of the world, and she thought that working in the field of international public health might be the way. She was raised as a vegetarian, under the principles of the Jain religion, which emphasizes the importance of nonviolence. And this value became a guiding principle in her career. Dr. Shah received her medical degree from State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., and a master’s of public health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Throughout her schooling, Dr. Shah was only asked to participate

in an animal lab once—a neuroscience activity using a frog nerve in which she declined to participate. Early in her career, it was PCRM’s materials that got Dr. Shah thinking about the benefits of epidemiological studies and human population studies. “These studies don’t involve harm to animals and provide a lot of an-swers,” Dr. Shah said. Board-certified in general preventive medicine as well as family medicine, Dr. Shah has focused her clinical and public health work on prevention. Dr. Shah spent many years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, working on international health issues. She now works at a pharmaceutical company, conducting human clinical trials on new vaccines, and she also works part time as a clinical instructor at a family medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and in urgent care at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Shah, who has been a vegan ever since she learned about the way animals in the dairy industry are treated, also talks with patients about the health benefits of plant-based diets whenever she can. “When patients are ill and in the doctor’s office, it’s a teachable moment,” Dr. Shah said. Dr. Shah has helped PCRM make strides toward reforming federal nutrition policies by setting up meet-ings with the offices of California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. She and several other doctors passed along PCRM’s message on the need to end federal subsidies for high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.

A Global AwarenessJina Shah, M.D., M.P.H.

Physician Profile

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Documents

Good Medicine - Winter 2008