Cervical smears to test for HPV infection not cell changes

From 1 December 2017 women in Australia will be offered a new test to detect cervical cancer. The new test will still take a cervical sample, but instead of looking for cell changes the five yearly test will look for HPV infection by high risk virus sub-types. The apparent effectiveness of the new test in both vaccinated and unvaccinated women has been underpinned by a new study in the journal PLOS. The patient information reminds women that “HPV vaccinated women still require cervical screening as the HPV vaccine does not protect against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.” It also advises women who experience symptoms such as unusual bleeding, discharge and pain to visit their doctor immediately. Given the ability of the body to clear HPV infection of its own accord, one wonders whether looking for HPV infection rather than cell changes will lead to a better cancer detection rate, or rather an increase in unnecessary cancer treatment as well higher HPV vaccination rates.

Pesticides threatening biodiversity

There has been a lot of concern around the effect of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and other pollinating insects. The Task Force on Systemic Pesticides has published a new report highlighting the severe threats to worldwide ecosystems from these chemicals. Even at low doses neonics are toxic. They are water soluble and persist (do not degrade easily) in the environment. As well as the threat to pollinating insects they also have potential to contaminate our food chain. The European Commission has already significantly restricted three neonicotinoid pesticides and is looking to make a total ban. It will be down to the grassroots pressure on lawmakers and elected representatives to ensure that a total ban is successful.

Aluminium in vaccines linked to autism

Endorsed by governments, manufacturers have been adding aluminium to vaccines for decades to provoke a strong immune response in those vaccinated. As more and more evidence points to the damage being caused aluminium as an adjuvant, a new study published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry helps to further this claim. The study, which used a mouse model, shows that far from being safe - as is claimed - aluminium adjuvants are neurotoxic, i.e. agents capable of sabotaging normal development and contributing to autism, especially in males. ANH-Intl are calling on health authorities to stop claiming vaccines are ‘safe’. If you agree please sign our petition.

When vaccines don’t work!

There has been a global resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis) in recent years despite ongoing vaccination programmes. In an article published in F1000 Research, School of Public Health researchers argue this is due to the immunological failure of acellular vaccines along with the short duration of protection and changes to the virus in response to the vaccine. The researchers said, “The resurgence of pertussis in the aP vaccine era is evolving into a slow-moving global public health crisis”, further, “With the public’s trust in vaccines waning, this has also become a public relations crisis.”

In 2015, wild poliovirus type 2 was declared to have been eradicated. In 2016, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) announced poliovirus type 2 would no longer be used in vaccines, but would continue to be held in labs. A study published in the Lancet comments that the change was required due to a risk that continued use of the vaccine would be followed by “endemic and epidemic transmission of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses”. It also highlights that health authorities should put plans in place for future outbreaks due to excretion of type 2 poliovirus from people with immunodeficiency disorders and possible leaks from laboratories and vaccine production facilities.

In an article in Science Mag questions are asked about why flu vaccines fail so often. Despite the questions and the realisation that assumption upon assumption has been made about the efficacy of these vaccines, researchers are hesitant to discuss problems and instead redouble their efforts to make a better vaccine. If vaccines are failing why is no-one discussing it? When will health authorities begin to take notice that the health prevention programme they’ve relied on for decades is not fit for purpose and worse, may be harming vastly more than helping. Vaccines are good for Pharma profits, but are they good for us?