02/07/04  Consider the source: Mutually beneficial collaborations between U of M and Dow
Source:  www.trwnews.net

Recently Dow contracted Dr. David Garabrant of the U of M to design a study to determine the typical blood level of dioxin in residents of Saginaw and Midland counties.  State health officials say the studies are not linked to their study and that the Department of Community Health was not consulted about Dow's work. Why is Dow conducting their study? 1) Confuse the public and 2) create more corporate science to avoid responsibility for their contamination of our bodies and properties.

For those attending Dr Garabrant's  mis-information meetings next week, consider the following:

• The Dow Foundation has donated over 10 million dollars to the University of Michigan.
  • "Our long history of developing mutually beneficial collaborations has resulted in tremendous value creation for the University, Dow, and the public."  Quote of Bob Wood, Dow Chemical Company Business President, at U of M Dow recognition luncheon September 2000
• Universities and their staff depend upon donations and grants to survive, very few look a gift horse in the mouth.  What kind of ethical "science" can be expected for donations from a company with a history of punishing those who do not develop "mutually beneficial collaborations"? 
• Ask Central Michigan University.  1977, Paul Oreffice, then Dow's president, wrote to Dr. Harold Abel, president of CMU (A university group invited Jane Fonda to speak on campus):
  • "While inviting Ms. Fonda to your campus is your prerogative, I consider it our prerogative and obligation to make certain our funds are never again used to support people intent upon the destruction of freedom.  Therefore, effective immediately, support of any kind from the Dow Chemical Company to Central Michigan University has been stopped, and will not be resumed until we are convinced our dollars are not expended in supporting those who would destroy us."
• Dr. Garabrant is working with Dow in other areas.  He currently is on the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxic Research Center. 
  • This panel is chaired by James J. Collins of the Dow Chemical Company.
  • Another panel member, Dennis J. Paustenbach, President and Founder - Chemrisk, Inc. has a long history with Dow.  You will be hearing a lot more about him in the near future.
  • Current member of the Board of Directors: Wilma Delaney, Dow Chemical Company (Retired)
  • The center is financed by many corporations including Union Carbide (owned by Dow Chemical), Exxon Chemical, Ashland Chemical, Dupont Chemical, and many others.   Notice a pattern? 
• Check out some of Dr. Garabrants work   Again, see any patterns?

If you attend the Dow sponsored meetings, insist Dr. Garabrant disclose all of his past relationships with Dow Chemical Company and other corporations.  In his defense, the man has got to eat.  Unfortunately for us, he knows who butters his bread.

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This link is an excerpt from the Tittabawassee River Watch www.trwnews.net site.   The site contains hundreds of articles pertaining to the dioxin contaminiation of the Tittabawassee River in central Michigan USA by Dow Chemical Company.   On-line infomraton includes dioxin related research, regulatory agency activity, class action lawsuit activity, 100's of newspaper articles, citizen editorials, and much more.  Click here to visit to visit..