INFECTIOUS DISEASES - Blackherbals.com

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Continued from page 10– Custom-Built Pathogensnormally staid panels of scientists and security expertshave also warned about the consequences of abuse. Anunclassified CIA study in 2003 titled "The DarkerBioweapons Future" warned of a potential for a "classof new, more virulent biological agents engineered toattack" specific targets. "The effects of some of theseengineered biological agents could be worse than anydisease known to man," the study said.It is not just the potential for exotic diseases that iscausing concern. Harmless bacteria can be modified tocarry genetic instructions that, once inside the body,can alter basic functions, such as immunity or hormoneproduction, three biodefense experts with the DefenseIntelligence Agency said in an influential report titled"Biotechnology: Impact on Biological Warfare andBiodefense."As far as is publicly known, no such weapons have everbeen used, although Soviet bioweapons scientistsexperimented with genetically altered strains in thefinal years of the Cold War. Some experts doubtterrorists would go to such trouble when ordinarygerms can achieve the same goals."The capability of terrorists to embark on this path inthe near- to mid-term is judged to be low," Charles E.Allen, chief intelligence officer for the Department ofHomeland Security, said in testimony May 4 before apanel of the House Committee on Homeland Security."Just because the technology is available doesn't meanterrorists can or will use it."A far more likely source, Allen said, is a "lone wolf": ascientist or biological hacker working alone or in asmall group, driven by ideology or perhaps personaldemons. Many experts believe the anthrax attacks of2001 were the work of just such a loner. "All it wouldtake for advanced bioweapons development," Allensaid, "is one skilled scientist and modest equipment --an activity we are unlikely to detect in advance."Genes for SaleThroughout the Western world and even in developingcountries such as India and Iran, dozens of companieshave entered the booming business of commercial genesynthesis. Last fall, a British scientific journal, NewScientist, decided to contact some of these DNA-bymailcompanies to show how easy it would be to obtaina potentially dangerous genetic sequence -- forexample, DNA for a bacterial gene that producesdeadly toxins.Only five of the 12 firms that responded said theyscreened customers' orders for DNA sequences thatmight pose a terrorism threat. Four companiesacknowledged doing no screening at all. Under currentlaws, the companies are not required to screen. In theUnited States, the federal "Select Agent" rule restrictsaccess to a few types of deadly bacteria, viruses and toxins.But, under the CDC's interpretation of the rule, there arefew such controls on transfers of synthetic genes that can beturned into killers. Changes are being contemplated, but fornow the gap is one example of technology's rapid advanceleaving law and policy behind."It would be possible -- fully legal -- for a person toproduce full-length 1918 influenza virus or Ebola virusgenomes, along with kits containing detailed proceduresand all other materials for reconstitution," said Richard H.Ebright, a biochemist and professor at Rutgers University."It is also possible to advertise and to sell the product, inthe United States or overseas."While scientists tend to be deeply skeptical of governmentintrusion into their laboratories, many favor closer scrutinyover which kinds of genetic coding are being sold and towhom. Even DNA companies themselves are lobbying forbetter oversight.Blue Heron Biotechnology, a major U.S. gene-synthesiscompany based in suburban Seattle, formally petitioned thefederal government three years ago to expand the SelectAgent rule to require companies to screen DNA purchases.The company began voluntarily screening after receivingsuspicious requests from overseas, including one from aSaudi customer asking for genes belonging to a virus thatcauses a disease akin to smallpox."The request turned out to be legitimate, from a realscientist, but it made us ask ourselves: How can we makesure that some crazy person doesn't order something fromus?" said John Mulligan, Blue Heron's founder and chiefexecutive. "I used to think that such a thing wasimprobable, but then September 11 happened."Some scientists also favor greater scrutiny -- or at least peerreview -- of research that could lead to the accidental ordeliberate release of genetically modified organisms. Intheory, such oversight is provided by volunteer boardsknown as institutional biosafety committees. Guidelines setby the National Institutes of Health call on federally fundedschools and private labs to each appoint such a Board. A2004 National Academy of Sciences report recommendedthat the committees take on a larger role in policingresearch that could lead to more powerful biologicalweapons.In reality, many of these boards appear to exist only onpaper. In 2004, the nonprofit Sunshine Project surveyed390 such committees, asking for copies of minutes or notesContinued on page 19-16- Traditional African Clinic December 2006
African Traditional Herbal Research ClinicVolume 1, Issue 12 NEWSLETTER December 2006FEATURED ARTICLESHEMP SEED: THE MOST NUTRITIONALLYCOMPLETE FOOD SOURCE IN THE WORLDPart Oneby Lynn OsburnFrom: Hemp Line Journal, July-August 1992, pp. 14-15, Vol. I No. 1Seeds of the plant cannabis sativa, hemp seed, containall the essential amino acids and essential fatty acidsnecessary to maintain healthy human life. No othersingle plant source has the essential amino acids in suchan easily digestible form, nor has the essential fattyacids in as perfect a ratio to meet human nutritionalneeds.The importance of hemp seed nutrients to human healthcannot be fully appreciated without someunderstanding of bio-chemistry in life. Unfortunately,any attempt to understand the flow of life leads into therealm of the most troublesome of the three infinities --the infinitely complex.Some deep thinkers believe life is a paradox not to beunderstood but experienced to the fullest. However, theSages have said, "Know thyself." At any rate it isparadoxic to attempt simplifying the infinitecomplexity of flowing life. Yet, it is far better for thehealth and development of any thinking and feeling,uniquely individual human being, to pursue knowledgethan to lounge in ignorance.One out of two Americans win die from the effects ofcardiovascular disease (CVD). One out of fourAmericans will die from cancer. Researchers believecancers erupt when immune system response isweakened. Pioneers in the fields of biochemistry andhuman nutrition now believe CVD and most cancersare really diseases of fatty degeneration caused by thecontinued over-consumption of saturated fats andrefined vegetable oils that turn essential fatty acids intocarcinogenic killers. And if this is not scary enough,more Americans are succumbing to immune deficiencydiseases than ever before. Sadly it is ignorance ofhuman nutritional needs that will cause thisoverwhelming majority of Americans to die slowlyfrom these afflictions -- the greatest killers in affluentnations.HEMP SEED PROTEINS AND THEBUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE ANDIMMUNITYThere are eight amino acids the human body cannotmake and two more the body cannot make in sufficientquantity, so they are essential to life. A diet without anyone of them will eventually cause disease and death.These essential amino acids, along with eleven othersthe body can make from them, are chained together inaccordance to genetic guidelines, via RNA formatsfrom DNA blueprints, into structural proteins that givebody to life, and into enzymes (globular proteins) thatcarry out the mechanics of living.Nearly three quarters of body solids are proteins. Thebody is literally constructed and maintained by aninfinitely complex system that simply builds proteinsfrom amino acid sub units. Every amino acid consistsof an amine and a carboxyl bound to the same carbonatom. All but the smallest amino acid have one, moreor less complex, carbon containing side chainconnected to the carbon atom shared by the amine andcarboxyl groups. The amine group, ND, is slightlybasic; the carboxyl group, COOH, is a mild acid. Theamine group of one amino acid unites with the carboxylgroup of another forming a peptide link. Proteins aremade of amino acid peptide chains in specificsequences. The number of possible amino acid peptidecombinations is infinite.Peptide chains can bend, twist and unite with otherpeptide chains by forming weak hydrogen bondsbetween nitrogen and oxygen atoms along the chain.Amino acids can also form bonds through side chainlinkages. All three types of amino acid bondingmethods contribute to the infinite possibility of proteinshapes and reactivity potentials. Though each speciesbuilds proteins unique to itself, life can tailor new onesif challenged by the pressures of existence.Continued on page 18-17- Traditional African Clinic December 2006
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Page 10 and 11: Continued from page 7 - Pfizer Faul
Page 12 and 13: Continued from page 11 - The Virus
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Page 18 and 19: Continued from page 17 - Hemp SeedH
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Page 28 and 29: Malaria Fuels HIV/AidsSpread In Afr
Page 30: Mission StatementOur aim at The Afr

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