Dow Corning Knows… 1997 Silicone Implants Are Dangerous

[Guest guest]

Dow Corning Knows… 1997 Silicone Implants Are

Dangerous

For many years, Dow Corning conducted experiments on

silicone breast implants. Dow found that the implants

leak and rupture, spreading silicone throughout the

body(1). They learned that the silicone in the

implants kills roaches(2), is not biologically

inert(3), and stimulates a human immune response(4).

Tragically. Dow kept this science hidden.

In recent years, however, a host of articles have been

published in scientific journals pointing to the

negative health effects of silicone breast implants.

A Canadian study found that 40% of implants leak or

rupture after six years. And 95% leak or rupture

after 12 years(5). Other studies are finding a

rupture rate after 10 years of 70%(6). A Mayo Clinic

study found that 25% of women require surgery within

five years after implantation(7). A report in the

Archives of Dermatology shows the unmistakable link

between local pain, numbness and deformity and

deposits of silicone that had migrated from a ruptured

implant(8). It has also been documented that silicone

leaks from women's nipples(9). A 1996 Harvard study

found a 24% increase in connective tissue disease,

both classical and atypical, for women with breast

implants(10). A 1997 report in The Lancet found an

abnormal immune response in women with silicone

implants(11). A University of Michigan study found

women with implants had three times the risk of

developing an unusual connective tissue disease(12).

Other studies have documented that silicone provokes

an immune reaction in humans and animals(13).

The Dow public relations machine has led many people

to believe that implants have been proven safe.

Nothing could be further from the truth. There is

abundant scientific evidence confirming that thousands

of women are suffering the effects of faulty, broken,

dangerous silicone implants.

For many years Dow Corning conductedexperiments on

silicone breast implants. Dow found that the implants

leak and rupture, spreading silicone throughout the

body. They learned that the silicone in the implants

kills roaches, is not biologically inert, and

stimulates a human immune response. Tragically, Dow

kept this science hidden.

_______________

(1) " If enclosed within a silicone bag, the fluids

would tend to diffuse out...and be absorbed into the

tissues. " Dow internal document written by Ethel

Mullison, PhD at the Dow Corning Center for Aid to

Medical Research to Dr. Cronin, January 24,

1961.

" The results of this study indicate that

dimethylpolysiloxane fluid is deposited in the spleen,

liver, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, abdominal lymph

nodes, and kidneys of mice... " " Silicone in Mice, " a

study by Dr. Rees, Dow Corning, 1966.

" Milt, as you know, we have discussed the rupture

problem twice in the past month, and as of this date,

the problem is still recurring at an inordinate rate. "

" Mammary Prosthesis Ruptures, " memo from

to Milt Hinsch, December 15, 1977.

(2) " cockroaches went into the silicone fluid...never

got more than a few inches from the dish before

dying. " Dow study IV (1968): Effects of Silicone

Oils on Cockroaches (DCC--16001147).

(3) " The preponderance of available animal data also

suggests a potential for silicone materials to be

involved in immunologically mediated disease states. "

" Investigation of the Effects of Silicone Fluids,

Gels, and Particles on the Immune System, " Boley,

Malczewski, and , Health Care Group Research,

February 19, 1985.

(4) " Some possible applications of the immunological

enhancing agnets...the production of high quality and

expensive experimental antibodies. " " Organosilicon

Immunopotentiators: Patent Memorandum No. 4320,

" Boley, Lake, and LeVier, Dow Corning Corporation,

January 31, 1975.

(5) " Failure Properties of 352 Explanted Silicone-Gel

Breast Implants, " s, et al. Canadian Journal of

Plastic Surgery, Spring 1996.

(6) " Reported Complications of Silicone Gel Breast

Implants: An Epidemiologic Review, " Kessler, et al.

ls of Internal Medicine, April 15, 1996.

(7) " Complications Leading to Surgery after Breast

Implantation, " , et al. New England Journal of

Medicine, March 6, 1997.

(8) " We report the unique occurrence of significant

overlying scarring and ulceration following silicone

gel migration down the affected arm. " " Silicone Breast

Implant--Associated Scarring Dystrophy of the Arm, "

Gershwin, et al. Archives of Dermatology, Jan 1995;

vol 131.

(9) " She reported being able to express a substance

that was like 'hair gel' from both nipples. "

" Intraductal Migration of Silicone from Intact Gel

Breast Prostheses, " Barnet, et al. Plastic and

Reconstructive Surgery, March 1995.

(10) " ...increased risks of connective-tissue disease

among women with breast implants. " " Self-Reported

Breast Implants and Connective-Tissue Disease in

Female Health, " Hennekens, et al.

Journal of American Medical Association, Feb 28, 1996.

(11) " ...some individuals may mount a specific

antipolymer immune response after exposure to silicone

from SBI [silicone breast implants]. " " Use of

Antipolymer Antibody Assay in Recipients of Silicone

Breast Implants, " Garry, et al. The Lancet, Feb 15,

1997; vol 349.

(12) " These results suggest that self-reported

occupational exposure to silicone and the presence of

implanted medical devices, particularly those that

contain silicone, increase the risk of developing UCTD

[undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease]. " The

Association Between Silicone Exposure and

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease Among Women

in Michigan and Ohio, " Schottenfeld, et al.

University of Michigan. Abstract presented at

American College of Rheumatology Meeting, October

1996.

(13) " In summary, we have shown that chemical

comonents used in the manufacture of a silicone

implant, when considered individually or as an

extract, are not inert, as reflected by the rat's

granulomatous response and induction of cells derived

from the immune system. " " Analysis of the Soft-Tissue

Response to Components used in the Manufacture of

Breast Implants: Rat Animal Model, " Goldstein, et al.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, March 1991;

87(3).

" It can be seen by the studies reviewed here

that silicones are neither biologically or chemically

inert and that there is clinical and theoretical

reason for concern. " " Immunopathologic Effects of

Silicone Breast Implants, " Gershwin, et al. Western

Journal of Medicine, May 1995.

" ...silicone implantation may result in

autoantibodies against silicone-bound proteins... "

" The Influence of Silicone Implantation on Type II

Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice, " Schaefer, etal.

Arthritis & Rheumatism, June 1997;40(6).

" ...the effects of silicone breast implantation

on immune stimulation to self appear to be

long-lasting. " " Cellular Immune Reactivities in Women

with Silicone Breast Implants: A Preliminary

Investigation, " Atkinson, et al. ls of Allergy,

Asthma, and Immunology, 1997; 79