Questions about product claims

Dear Editor,

In the Guyana Chronicle of December 4, Dr Howard Fisher, “a natural physician” representing the Canadian company BioPro Technology, was reported to have held forth on the benefits of using his company’s BioPro Chip to prevent “heating up of the head and brain caused by radiation from the [cellphone] instrument [that] could be the cause of an epidemic of brain tumors within the next 10 years.” It is revealing how he calls many to immediate action by warning, “We cannot wait until we know for sure.” For sure of what? And why don’t we know for sure? Further, who profits from his peddling of uncertain fear? Ref: http://bioproscam.blog-spot.com and the discussion at http://www.amazon.com/ review/R2GSHPS6JEQG72
Because of the dynamic nature of first-world economies, their natural drive towards capitalization of niche opportunities, many products enter the market that are best thrown into the bin. Eventually market forces and consumer action do just that, but oftentimes not before millions are handed over in ignorance from the hands of the “poor.” Maybe you might like to read the following article on the US Federal Trade Commission’s website: ‘Marketers of Cell Phone Radiation Protection Patches Settle FTC Charges.’ (http://www.ftc. gov/opa/2003/12/interactcomm.shtm). The third paragraph reads:
“The complaint, filed in federal district court, challenges the defendants’ claims that the WaveShield prevents up to 97 percent or 99 percent of all radiation and other electromagnetic energy emitted from cellular and cordless telephones from reaching the brains of users. The complaint alleges that the defendants fail to disclose that most of the energy emitted by cellular and cordless phones comes from the antenna and other parts of the phone, and that WaveShield products have no effect on these other emissions.

These facts, the FTC said, would be material to consumers’ decision to buy or use their products. In addition, the complaint alleges that the defendants made false statements that their products had been scientifically ‘proven’ and ‘tested,’ when in fact that was not the case.”
And the first paragraph reads:
“Distributors of the ‘WaveShield’ cell phone radiation patches that claim to protect consumers by blocking up to 99 percent of electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by cell and cordless phones have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their claims are unsubstantiated and false.”
Note also the designation of Dr Howard Fisher as “a natural physician.” Didn’t the government just conclude a tireless battle against the natural remedies touted on TV as being 100% effective against AIDS? I have seen many programmes myself exposing the ruthless marketing strategy of some manufacturers of “100% natural” and “100% organic” food products. Then there are those immigration lawyers that purport to guarantee entry into Canada! Ha! You fooled me once, shame on you; you fool me twice, I must be mad or something!

Yours faithfully,
Mark AC Blair