The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new biotechnology product -- a monoclonal antibody -- for use in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The drug, known as infliximab (Remicade), reduces levels of a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is believed to contribute to the inflammation characteristic of the disease. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include frequent diarrhea, severe pain, nausea and fever, and in some cases formation of fistulas, aberrant passages that can link the bowel to the anus, vagina or skin surface. Sections of diseased bowel can be removed surgically but symptoms often return. In severe cases, the disease can involve much of the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth.

COMMENT: The drug based paradigm will continue to seek and promote the magic bullets while ignoring the more basic common sense strategies which work better and are far less toxic -- but also generate far less profit. The major alternative here is severe grain and sugar restrictions along with healthy doses of Flora Source.