0
FDA approves new
birth control shot
Drug prventpregnancyforthree months
The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 30, 1992 - Page 3
Group tries to
7 raise awareness
about rainforest
WASHINGTON (AP) - The
government yesterday gave women
the option of using an injectable
drug, Depo Provera, that provides
birth control for three months but
also may cause weight gain and
menstrual irregularities.
"This drug presents another long-
term effective option for women to
prevent pregnancy," said Food and
Drug Commissioner David Kessler
in a written statement. "As an in-
jectable, given once every three
months, Depo Provera eliminates
problems related to missing a daily
dose."
About a quarter of the women of
childbearing age in the United States
use the birth control pill, which must
be taken every day.
The Food and Drug Admin-
istration' s decision followed the
advice of an outside panel of sci-
entists who recommended unani-
mously last June that the drug be al-
lowed for use as a contraceptive.
However, the FDA pointed out
that the drug, manufactured by
1 Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Upjohn
Co., has possible side effects, includ-
ing weight gain and menstrual irreg-
ularities. It also can leave women
tired, weak, dizzy and nervous and
can cause headaches and abdominal
pain.
The FDA's Fertility and Maternal
Health Drugs Advisory Committee
heard a day of testimony on the
drug's side effects before voting that
its potential benefits outweighed the
risks. The panel considered whether
the drug is scientifically linked, to
breast, liver or cervical cancer.
In 1973, FDA had announced its
intention to approve the drug as a
contraceptive, but protests from con-
sumer and women's groups during
congressional hearings prompted the
agency to withhold the approval.
FDA again denied approval for this
use in 1978, largely because animal
studies suggested a link to cancers of
the cervix, liver and breast. More re-
cent studies, though, have indicated
the link may not be so strong as pre-
viously believed.
The drug already is used as a con-
traceptive in 90 countries, including
Britain, Germany, New Zealand,
Norway, Belgium, Sweden and
France.
Upjohn has not set the cost of the
drug, but it will be comparable to the
cost of birth control pills, said com-
pany spokesperson Florence
Steinberg.
Dr. Michael Policar, vice presi-
dent of medical affairs of Planned
Parenthood Federation of America,
estimated that the drug would cost
about $25 per injection. "We've
been wanting to use Depo Provera in
Planned Parenthood affiliates for
years."
Until yesterday, the drug was ap-
proved for use in the United States
only to treat endometrial and renal
cancers. As a birth control agent, it
inhibits the production of the hor-
mone gonadotropin, preventing
ovulation.
Although the drug already is
available for cancer treatment, the
birth control version is a different
formulation. The company plans a
formal launch of that version in the
United States in January.
Depo Provera is given in a 150
mg dose injected into an arm muscle
or buttock every three months. The
FDA said it is more than 99 percent
effective at preventing pregnancy.
Upjohn has said it has found that
most women who take the drug gain
weight - usually no more than 15
pounds, although the gain increases
over time.
If a woman decides to get preg-
nant, she can discontinue the
injections.
The FDA also said recent studies
have found that long-term use may
contributedto osteoporosis,a bone
disorder found chiefly in women
who have passed menopause. The
'We've been wanting
to use Depo Provera in
Planned Parenthood
affiliates for years. .
- Dr. Michael Policar
agency warned doctors to make sure
a patient is not already pregnant be-
fore giving her the drug and that it
should not be used by women who
have liver disease, breast cancer, un-
explained vaginal bleeding or blood
clots.
Depo Provera, known generically
as depot-medroxyprogesterone ac-
etate, or DMPA, also has been the
subject of legal controversy because
it could be used for so-called
"chemical castration" sentences that
judges have considered imposing on
male sex offenders.
by Gwen Shaffer
Daily Environment Reporter
The Rainforest Action Movement
(RAM) treated students walking
through the Diag yesterday to some
live entertainment - with a political
slant.
Members performed a skit por-
traying World Bank officials decid-
ing to dump toxic wastes in a rain-
forest, displacing the indigenous
people and satisfying American
business leaders.
David Saloman, a former U-M
student and RAM member, said he
organized the play because he
wanted to raise awareness about the
"inter-connectedness" between the
United States and one of the world's
most vital resources.
"I didn't really write the play be-
cause these things are happening ev-
eryday," Saloman said.
RAM is a student organization
that raises funds to empower native
people. The organization fights for
the basic human rights of people to
use their own land, Saloman said.
"American oil companies in the
Amazon forest drilling for oil have
already produced more waste than
the Exxon Valdez spill," Saloman
said. "For the people who live there,
their resources are gone."
Saloman said the oil found in the
Amazon is not imperative to meeting
energy needs in the United States.
"It is minimal if we had energy re-
forms here," he said.
Recent rulings by a panel for the
General Agreement on Trade and
Tariffs (GATT) were a major focus
of the skit.
"(GATT) will give multinational
corporations the right to do whatever
they want - at will and without fear
of new competition - anywhere in
the world," Saloman said.
"When rainforests go, we are go-
ing to go with them," he added.
Some actors in the skit said they
believe the RAM demonstration
served to raise awareness of rainfor-
est issues.
"Everyone who walks by learns
something," said Stephanie Schantz,
an LSA junior and RAM member. "I
think we motivate people just by be-
ing visible."
Phil Daman, a first-year
Kinesiology student who watched
the skit, said he thought it was
effective.
"Anything you see on the Diag
stimulates you to think differently,"
he said.
4
MOLLY STEVEN;
Chad Spitler, a senior in the School of Natural Resources and
Environment and LSA senior Gita Nandan play the part of peoples of
Third World nations, sitting on the nuclear waste of "developed"
countries. Spitler and Nandan were acting in a play put on by the
Rainforest Action Movement.
CIA knew about U.S. exports to Iraqi defense industries
WASHINGTON (AP) - The
CIA knew before the Gulf War that
at least five recipients of U.S. ex-
ports to Iraq were defense industries,
but it did not tell the Commerce
Department, which approved the
sales, documents show.
The Commerce Department ap-
proved some $1.5 billion in exports
to Iraq from 1985 to 1990, saying
most were not designated for mili-
tary use.
Information revealed yesterday
on both sides of the Atlantic indi-
cated that the CIA had infonnation
about Iraqi defense industry pur-
chases both in the United States and
Britain.
Many of the Iraqi companies that
bought U.S. technology legally turn
out to have been military industries
with innocuous sounding names that
didn't set off alarms at the
Commerce Department. In any case,
the department was under White
House orders to encourage trade
Friday
Q "Alternative Nationalisms," lec-
tureRackham Building,Assem-
bly Hall, 1-3 p.m.
Q "Alternative Utopias: Civil So-
ciety," lecture, Rackham Build-
ing Assembly Hall, 3:30-5 p.m.
Q Custodial Appreciation Week,
pizza and games, Sports Coli-
seum, contact Theresa Gleason
764-0521.
Q Diwali Indian Festival of Lights
Show, East Quad, RC Audito-
rium, 8 p.m.
U Drum Circle,Guild House Cam-
pus Ministry, 802 Monroe St.,
8-10 p.m.
U Edward Parmentier, perform-
ing on the harpsichord, School
of Music, Blanche Anderson
Moore Hall, 8 p.m.
Q "Focus on Michigan," photog-
raphy contest, City of Ann Ar-
bor Parks and Recreation De-
partment, accepting entries un-
til December 1, 1992, contact
Irene Bushaw 994-2780
Q Garden's Gathering Sale, mem-
bers sale, Matthaei Botanical
Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd.,
5-7 p.m.
Q Korean Campus Crusade for
Christ, Christian Fellowship,
Campus Chapel, 8 p.m.
Q "MulticulturalTeaching in Sci-
ence," forum, West Engineer-
ing Building, room 218,4 p.m.
U Newman Catholic Student As-
sociation, Rosary, 7:30 p.m.;
Pre-Marriage Seminar; Saint
Mary Student Chapel, 331 Th-
ompson St..
Q Northwalk Nighttime Safety
Walking Service, Bursley Hall,
lobby, 763-WALK, 8-11:30
p.m.
U Open HouseatAngell Hall Tele-
K210,10a.m.-4p.m.
U Safewalk Nighttime Safety
Walking ServicesUGLi,lobby,
936-1000, 8-11:30 p.m.
Q Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club,
CCRB, Martial Arts Room,6-7
p.m.
Q ShulchanIvrit, Dominick's, 3:30
p.m.
Q TaeKwonDo Club,regular work-
out, CCRB, room 1200, 7-8:30
p.m.
Q "The History of the Salem
Burnings: The Three Hun-
dred Year Commemoration,"
sponsoredby Guild House Cam-
pus Ministry, 802 Monroe St.,
12 p.m.
Q "To Look for America: Reflec-
tions on Fieldwork," Thrupp
Lecture, Rackham Building,
Amphitheatre, 4 p.m.
Q U-M Ninjitsu Club, practice, I.M.
Building,Wrestling Room G21,
6:30-8 p.m.
Q "Voyages of the Mimi," lecture,
School of Education Building,
room 3014,9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Q "What Is To Be Done with
Monumental Propaganda,"
Komar and Melamid lecture,
Rackham Building, Amphithe-
atre, 8 p.m.
U Workshop Presenters Needed,
for 1993 People of Color Career
Conference, needed to plan and
conduct workshop, apply by No-
vember 2, contact Katrina
McCree 763-0235.
Saturday
Q Garden's Gathering Sale, pub-
lic sale, Matthaei Botanical Gar-
dens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., 10
a.m. - 4 p.m.
Q Northwalk Nighttime Safety
Walking Service, Bursley Hall,
Sunday
Q APO Service Fraternity, pledge
meeting,6p.m.; meeting, 7p.m.;
Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room
Q "Beyond Beef," lecture and dis-
cussion, MLB, Lecture Room
1, 8 p.m.
Q Blind Pig Blues Jam and Open
Mic Night, Blind Pig, 208 S.
First St., 9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Q Choral Evensong, sung by The
Boychoir of Ann Arbor, St.
Andrew's Episcopal Church,
306 N. Division St., 3 p.m.
Q Crooked Lake Trail Hike, spon-
sored by Sierra Club, meet at
Ann Arbor City Hall, 100 N.
Fifth Ave., parking lot, 1 p.rt.
Q Dr. Nooden Lecture, Natural,
Science Building,4th floorCon-
ference Room, 8 p.m.
Q Garden's Gathering Sale, pub-
lic sale, Matthaei Botanical Gar-
dens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., 10
a.m. - 4 p.m.
Q "In Search of Family Values,"
lecture, Angell Hall, Auditorium
B, 7:30 p.m.
Q Jazz Combo, performance,
Michigan League, Buffet, 6-8
p.m.
Q Northwalk Nighttime Safety
Walking Service, Bursley Hall,
lobby, 763-WALK, 8p.m. -1:30
a.m.
Q Phi Sigma Pi National Honor
Fraternity, meeting, Michigan
Union, Anderson Room, 6 p.m.
U Safewalk Nighttime Safety
Walking Service,UGLi, lobby,
936-1000,8 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
Q Safewalk Nighttime Safety
Walking Service -Angell Hall,
Angell Hall, Computing Cen-
ter, 763-4246, 1:30-3 a.m.
Q Student/P fessional Support
Group, for young adults who
with Iraq.
The CIA, and possibly the
Defense Intelligence Agency, knew
the true nature of some of the Iraqi
companies, according to a congres-
sional investigator's documents ob-
tained yesterday by The Associated
Press.
On Jan. 29, 1991, the senior
congressional investigator met with
CIA officials to ask what the agency
had known about 25 of the Iraqi end
users listed on U.S. export licenses,
and whether the agency had notified
the Commerce Department.
F. Douglas Whitehouse, who
headed the CIA's committee on
technology transfer, said he had run
a computer check comparing the 25
end users against a CIA data bank,
according to the notes made by the
investigator, who also was inter-
viewed on the grounds that he not be
identified.
Whitehouse said he had come up
with "about five hits" - five com-
Student
group to
tutor in
Detroit
by Yawar Murad
Daily Staff Reporter
U-M students can take a first step
to help urban Detroit if they attend
the mass meeting of the Student
Education Peer Program (STEPP)
Sunday.
"The philosophy of the group is
to break the cycle of poverty through
the strengthening of education," said
LSA senior Jim Handel, STEPP
president.
Helen Bellanca, a U-M alumnus,
began the STEPP program last year.
The program aims to address the
problems faced by youth studying in
inner-city Detroit high schools.
The program targets Detroit's
Murray Wright High School, where
group members serve as tutors and
mentors. STEPP volunteers also
provide financial and career resources
information. STEPP travels to the
school once a week.
Because STEPP is entirely stu-
dent-run, the high school students
are comfortable dealing with the
volunteers, program organizers said.
"The aim is to put the students in
touch with resources available to
them in their community, specifi-
cally the Detroit Compact program,"
Handel said.
The Detroit Compact program is
a partnership between Detroit busi-
nesses and nublic schools. The pro-
U
panies about which the CIA had in-
formation, said the investigator. He
said the CIA told him it did not
supply the information to the
Commerce Department because it
was never asked to do so.
Complaints about the CIA's re-
luctance to share information with
other government agencies are le-
gion. The problem was recently un-
derscored in the case of an Italian
bank branch in Atlanta that approved
unauthorized loans to Iraq.
The CIA earlier this month ad-
mitted that it had failed to provide
all the information it had to the
judge in the case, and that it had
found additional cables in its files in
recent weeks.
Congressional investigators say
the CIA knew that Iraqi-owned
companies were operating in the
United States in 1989 and 1990 un-
der the guise of civilian buying
agents when in fact they were mili-
tary purchasing fronts. Investigators
want to know whether the CIA in-
formed law enforcement agencies
about that.
The latest suggestion that the-
CIA knew about such Iraqi front
companies in the United States was"
provided yesterday. The issue arose
at the London trial of three former
officials of an Iraqi-owned company
- Matrix Churchill - that had a
branch in England and another ou[
side Cleveland, Ohio.
A 1987 British intelligence doc..:
ument read in court yesterday said
Iraq secretly bought machinery for-
arms production from European-
finns and had procured, among other
things, U.S. bluepriits for a large
bomb.
A senior defense lawyer told
London's Central Criminal Court
that it was likely the CIA would
have received this information.
"Britain shares its information with
U.S. and Western intelligence ser-
vices," Geoffrey Robertson said.
._
F
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