US Federal Court ruled at the end of March to end Myriad's patent of breast cancer susceptibility genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2.  Myriad, of course, is planning to fight in Appeals Court, and vows to take the case to the Supreme Court, if needed.  Myriad shares are trading lower following the ruling.

Mary Claire-King, discoverer of the BRCA gene, applauded the decision. 

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Georgia Supremes_and_Tort_Reform.mp3

Did the Georgia Supreme Court make the right call on  tort reform?  You be the judge!

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Illinois Supreme Court Reverses Tort.mp3

With the stroke of 4 pens, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed a 2005 tort reform law. This reversal is a welcome mat for more medical malpractice cases and defensive medicine.

The diet pill "StarCap" has been pulled from the shelves of GNC and other health food stores after the FDA alleged that they secretly contain prescription drugs! NYT ran the story today about how this pill formerly endorsed by an NFL star and Kathie Lee Gifford was found to contain the diuretic bumetanide. The idea I suppose was to induce water weight loss. Only problem is that diuretics can cause dangerous imbalances in electrolytes especially if people don't realize they're taking them!

Chemotherapy is commonly used anti-cancer medication. It usually administered through injection into a vein though oral forms of chemotherapy are becoming more prevalent.  There has been debate for more than a decade over whether vitamin C supplements are useful or harmful for cancer patients. Since vitamin C is an antioxidant some researchers are of the view that it helps cancer patients.  Improvement in survival however has never been demonstrated in controlled studies.  Medical oncologists are in general of the view that antioxidants decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Steven Warshak the creator of Berkeley Premium Neutraceuticals that advertises and sells Enzyte the one a day pill for “natural male enhancement ” was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison. His 75 y.o. mother Harriett Warshak also received a two year prison term. The Warshak’s along with other conspirators were ordered to pay compensation of $500 million. Steve Warshak was found guilty previously on 93 counts of conspiracy fraud and money laundering.