vol1 - Page 330
Page 330
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Oncologists accept that antineoplastic drugs_ 5-_/
radiation and antiemetictreatments 5_9/ are msafe" because they
recognize that_ while these treatments involve the use of highly
toxic poisons which may inflict serious injury, even death, the
consequence of withholding treatment is certain death. 6_/
Similarly_ ophthalmologists seeking to prolong the
sight of glaucoma patients consider highly toxic, potentially
0 6
lethal substances -_I/ and risky surgical practlces 6-_/ "safe _
..... treatments because the certain consequence of withholding
treatment is blindness_ f_/
58/ ACT Brief at I16_19 & 121_23. Anti-cancer therapies are
"highly toxic" and adverse effects are "profound." /_o at 122_
See __q Affidavit of Dro Deborah Baron Goldberg, _ 10-12, 46;
"C'
ACT Rebuttal Exhibits A I_5, _i_E_i_. Desk Reference listings
for adverse effects of antineoplastic drugs°
___./ ACT Brief at 120_21. Adverse effects of anti-emetic
therapies are discussed in detail. Dro Daniel Dansak_ in accord
with other witnesses, testifies marijuana's side effects are
_minor u compared to the adverse effects associated with other
anti-emetic drugs. /_. at 120.
60/ /__. at 116-23.
__i/ ___ at 141=45. Adverse effects of glaucoma drugs include
death from respiratory, cardiacs renal f_ilure or stroke. As
Dr_ Merritt testified, _Despite their life-threatening adverse
effects these drugs are all deemed 'safe _ for use in glaucoma
therapy -n /Z_- at 145_ _ __q ACT Reb_sttal Exhibits B, 1-4.
The physician's Desk Reference provides a detailed account of the
adverse effects of glaucoma therapies°
_/ _. at 138-3S & 145-48o All ophthalmic witnesses
characterized surgery as a _last resort n treatment, _. at 138_
with a high incidence of failures ___ and profound adverse
effects which include _death_ m _. at 145_ ocular infections_
_. at 146o Up to one-third of patients with end-stage glaucoma
may be blinded by surgery° /_ at 147.
___/ /_. at 126, 136-37. According to DEA witness Dr_ Robert
Hepler "many patients are ° o . not controllable . . . and may
become blind. # /__o at 137. Seven thousand to ten thousand
Americans are blinded by glaucoma each year® /_o at 126o
- 24 - °
'\,
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