The way it usually works is, the rats and mice die first. Or at least get sick first. Or at the very least, show some adverse effect first—as in, before people do. The reason countless lab animals have given their lives during the testing of experimental drugs is to allow manufacturers and regulators to see that a compound might be toxic, even deadly, before millions of people use it. And if the compound does look a little dodgy, the lab-animal tests uncover the reason—how the compound affects the liver, say, or reaches the brain. Not surprisingly, these “preclinical tests” (that is, those performed before testing on humans) were especially rigorous for botulinum. One of the deadliest poisons in nature and a possible bioterrorism agent, this neurotoxin reached the market, in very dilute doses, starting in 1989 as Botox. A big reason Botox and its cousins, such as Myobloc, were OK’d was that preclinical testing showed that after being injected, they did not travel along the body’s highways—nerve cells—to the brain and spinal cord. Yes, there was some evidence the toxin slipped into the bloodstream or the lymph system, but Botox in the bloodstream cannot enter the brain, says its manufacturer.
Do not expect that FDA or any govt agency will be concerned about the long term effects, not for the drugs that can possibly save your life…or your self esteem.
I do NOT want to see any more pictures of Ariana Huffington. Thanks.
The RSS feed said “who new?” rather than “who knew?”. Nitpicking, but it should be changed.
[fixed- thanks ed.]
No need to worry. People who are injected with Botox need not worry about brain damage anyway.
Suffer for your beauty. suffer.
And what ever happened to aging with dignity?
I get Botox injections ever 3 months – to treat my migraine problem. I suppose if a long term effect shows up down the line, i’ll suffer that too.
You stole my line, Pierre.