BUNNY I saw bunnies on the way from the ferry! They were cute.
Thursday and yesterday (April 24-25) I attended an academic freedom conference. The speakers were faculty from SFU, UBC, Toronto, Wales, Capilano etc. and some graduate students from UBC. The first day we spent speak more broadly on what freedom means. How much responsibility does the University have towards the greater society is the universities role to further society through knowledge or be economically profitable even though that might mean the loss of important knowlegde and research. Yesterday, we talked about the very insiduous and widespread influence of the pharmaceutical corporations. Dr. Healy spoke to us he was hired and then almost immediately fired from the U of T for speaking out about the dangers of anti-depressants. He pointed out there is some evidence that for some people anti-depressants can disturb them and make them far more suicidal than being left without drugs. Dr. Oliveri cut short a case study on a drug for a widespread blood disorder (starts with a "t" thats all I know about it) At first the drug was promising but then she noticed scarring developing on the liver that could have potentially fatal consequences. She went to the drug company and said she would stop the trial and tell the patients and the medical community about the serious side effects of the drug. They said she was wrong and if she released this information she would be sued. She went to the University and the University Hospital. (Sick Kids in Toronto) but they wouldn't offer her any protection and refused to get involved as they were about to sign a $20 million deal with the same drug company. A few of her fellow doctors stood up for her but all were severely punished. Grant cuts, removal of privelleges, denying promotions etc. She was fired five times from the University and was only completely and safely reinstated after an international outcry and movement to get her reinstated. The drug company is trying to get the drug licenced in Europe. Dr. Oliveri bankrupted herself to launch an appeal in Europe to have the EU relook at the drug. Also a Proffessor of English at SFU who was a expert witness for the defence for the Sharpe child pornography case and the head of the BC civil liberties association came and talked to us about free speech. Very interesting conference. Sorry for abandoning my friends out in the cold and wet waiting for me. Thanks for the Bunny.