FDA in Jan 2018 concluded that Chinese plastic used by Boston Scientific

[Ilsa]

to manufacture urogynecologic mesh slings (an implanted long term medical device) did not present any increase in risk to the patients compared to the plastic manufactured in the US. Polypropylene in the body degrades due to oxidation, causing sling failure, creation of scar tissue in which it is embedded, and in some cases causing pain one woman described as a cheese grater rubbing against her bladder.

60 Minutes is covering the story of the class action lawsuit by tens of thousands of women against Boston Scientific for their manufacture of the mesh sling which helps women with urinary incontinence problems. The sling had been made of polypropylene, manufactured in the US. When the US oil company that manufactures the polypropylene decided it should not be used in a long term medical device, Boston Scientific looked for a middle man for the same material to hide from a manufacturer what the final use of the product would be.

Eventually Boston Scientific turned to a company in China to procure the material for the mesh sling. After testing the material, they discovered that it was a poor substitute but decided to use it anyway. Women with these mesh slings have complained of severe pain, loss of bladder sensation, infections, etc, necessitating removal of the sling.

But this is Trump's FDA, deciding that women don't need excellent medical devices.

[RandomAccess]

1. Sexism kills. This is just one example.

Racism kills. Homophobia kills. Ageism and classism and all the other isms kill.

I asked someone in another thread to please not call someone like Sarah Huckabee Sanders -- a terrible, vile human being to be sure -- a bitch.

THIS is why. Just one of a bazillion trillion ways sexism kills.

Dear God, have we not seen the galloping acceleration of racism and racist violence, thanks to our current POTUS's tacit approval and encouragement?? Is it REALLY so difficult to believe -- and so taxing to want to work to remedy -- these toxic gender slurs cause real harm, even when aimed at our political opponents??

Sorry -- I'm just ... upset. Upset with news like this, upset with every damn thing we're going through, including having to fight for a simple end to gender slurs here, of all places.