Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health,americast.usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Tue, Sep 29 1992 Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 04:35:07 EDT Message-ID: 09-29 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Sept. 29, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MANY FAVOR GENETIC TINKERING: Many Americans would approve of genetic experiments, if they existed, that would make smarter or stronger "designer" babies, a new poll says. The Harris poll of 1,000 adults, conducted for the March of Dimes, shows 43% would approve of using gene therapy to improve babies' physical characteristics; 42% would approve it for improving intelligence. Margin of error: Plus or minus 3%. 79% SAY THEY WOULD HAVE THERAPY: The Harris poll of 1,000 adults found that 79% would undergo gene therapy to correct a serious or fatal genetic disease. Other findings: 87% know little or nothing about gene therapy; 58% said insurers deserve to know if someone is a carrier of a defective gene or has a genetic disease; and 73% think potential dangers of gene engineering are so great that strict regulations are needed. NOVELLO FOCUSES ON LATINOS: Surgeon General Antonia Novello Monday urged Latino health experts to use anger, if necessary, to bring greater attention to the problems of Latinos, who are dying disproportionately of accidents, diabetes, cirrhosis, homicides and AIDS. Novello made her comments at the National Workshop on Hispanic:Latino Health, which runs through Wednesday in Washington, D.C. DON'T MISUSE CHILD SAFETY SEATS: As many as 9 out of 10 child safety seats are misused in some way, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The most common mistakes are: Infants are not placed in their seats facing backward; safety belts are not correctly routed through the seats; children are not harnessed tightly into safety seats; and locking clips are not used or are used incorrectly. WHAT TO DO FOR A HEALTHY HEART: A high-fat diet, lack of regular exercise, cigarette smoking and being overweight are major contributors to heart attack. The American Heart Association suggests the following to reduce risks: Have blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If it's high, cooperate with the doctor to keep it under control; don't smoke; and eat foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol. BUG BITES CAN BE DEADLY: For most people, an insect's bite or sting causes some painful swelling that lasts a day or two. For others, it can be an emergency. "People who are actually allergic to the venom are at risk for having severe reactions," says Dr. Thomas B. Casale of the University of Iowa. "There are about 50 or 60 deaths per year in the USA from stinging insects." FREE PROSTATE SCREENING OFFERED: More than 2,000 medical centers nationwide will offer free screenings for prostate cancer until Oct. 11. Now in its fourth year, Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is expected to test more than 500,000 men and detect hundreds of cases. To find the location of the nearest testing site, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345). HUMAN LEUKEMIA TRIALS TO START: ImmunoGen Inc. Monday confirmed a report from Hambrecht & Quist that Immunogen plans to being human clinical trials on its drug Oncolysin B for lymphoma and leukemia. The patients in the tests will have undergone bone-marrow transplants. The company is waiting for approval from the consortium Cancer and Leukemia Group B, expected in a few weeks. BABY SITTERS SHOULD BE SCREENED: To try to protect their children from sexual abuse, parents should screen baby sitters by checking references. Parents should know the names of the parents of their children's friends and keep close tabs on children's whereabouts. They should teach children to protect themselves. A child's best defenses against sexual abuse are good self-esteem, and trust in themselves and their parents. COMMUNICATION IS KEY: If children are able to talk about their bodies without shame, they are less likely to hide the fact they are being abused. "We feel it's really important for parents to help their kids develop a positive sense about their bodies from infancy on up and to really build good communication," says Kathy Vandenbergh of the child abuse program at Catholic Family Center in Rochester, N.Y. MEXICO APPROVES HERPES DRUG: SPI Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Monday that the Mexican government has authorized use of its antiviral cream Virazole (ribavirin 7.5%) to treat herpes zoster and herpes genitalis. Herpes zoster, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a frequent herpes infection in adults. Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease, is most frequent in young adults. HARD ROCK CAFE PUSHES PROGRAM: A mobile vaccination program sponsored by the Hard Rock Cafe and Centinela Hospital Medical Center will swing into action Wednesday when a host of celebrities and local dignitaries officially launch the program at the Challengers Boys & Girls Club in South-Central Los Angeles. The mobile vaccination program will offer free vaccinations against common and preventable childhood diseases. DEVICE PROTECTS VIDEO PLAYERS: A new Nintendo product is being billed as a way to protect video game players' fingers, hands and wrists from serious injury and possible paralysis. Power Clip hooks into a standard video control board. Gears within it convert a slow, finger-tapping rhythm to the "full power" or "rapid fire" needed to hit top scores in some games. The $19.95 device works with more than 50 Nintendo games. Health Editors: Ed Kelleher and Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM