I just noticed something

[Tobin S.]

The polar opposite of this group (the Astrology, Spirituality, and Alternative Healing group) has 4 times as many posts in it than this group. I think we need to start recruiting. :D

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. They have the numbers, but we have the Big Pharma money behind us

I personally have the strength of ten men from all the Rx drugs I take.

[rexcat]

7. I have one up on you...

I do work for Pharma as a consultant, so there!!!!

:evilgrin:

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. OMG, a real big pharma shill!

Quick, someone alert the DU admin team. :)

[rexcat]

9. Damn,

your alert didn't work. I'm still here.

On a side note, the FDA has not done there job in at least 8 years thanks to Bush*, the Pharma companies should be trusted as far as you can throw them (based on personal experience) and their ability to advertise Rx drugs to the public since 1995 thanks to Newt and his republican thugs should be stopped! That still does not take away the fact that these companies do some good.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. I trust pharmaceutical companies

About the same as the supplement companies, but I least know that there is a modicum of regulation controlling pharma, whereas there's almost none for the supplement, homeopathic and holistic snake oil salesmen.

I'm a pragmatist - I know that pharmaceutical companies are for-profit entities, and it doesn't ever surprise me when they make decisions that help their bottom lines while harming the consumers of their products. I'm a huge critic of big pharma, just not on DU. There are some on DU that think big pharma is next only to Satan in their level of evil. But for whatever their faults (and there are many), they do manufacture drugs that save lives and help people.

So, when is my next shill check coming. :)

[TZ]

11. Not all the Pharma companies are deceitful

My biotech was bought out by one of the really big Pharmas but I've seen nothing but sterling ethics and behavior by them. I beleive they are considered an industry leader in this area.

[rexcat]

12. There are some good companies out there...

but strong regulation and inforcement is necessary. Even the best people can make poor judgements when money matters.

[TZ]

15. I agree.

And as someone who works in a GLP compliant environment I think strict enforcement is a very GOOD thing! The FDA needs WAAAY more funding IMO.

[rexcat]

16. I monitor the phase I - IV clinical trials...

mostly oncology, and for the most part I have not seen to many issues other than at some sites. Some of the big name sites really take advantage of the companies, lots of protocol violations/deviations, not getting the data on the case report forms in the time alloted per the contract, etc. There is one well know oncology site in Houston, TX that I would never place a clinical trial but the companies want the name of the site as part of the study. Unfortunately the FDA knows of the issues and does nothing about it. I have told several companies that I will not go this one site in Houston.

[TZ]

18. heh.

I bet you are monitoring some of the clinical trials I do support work for! And I have a sneaking suspicion I know what the oncology site is in Houston might be, but I'll keep my mouth shut.
Working closely with QA I do admit I've heard some hair raising stories about some places.....

[realisticphish]

2. they multiply like the Hydra

we can only slay so much :(

[Orrex]

3. In their defense...

I have to declare that they've been very pleasant and welcoming to me when I've posted there, with the understanding that I don't post just to pick fights or anything like that.

Several times, I've gone in with sincere questions, seeking the perspective of people who believe in extra-normal phenomena, and posters in the ASAH group have been very helpful.

[SDuderstadt]

4. I KNEW you were going to say that!

I'm psychic.

[uriel1972]

5. Scepticisism is like hard

with all this thinking and stuff, it's too much like work to be attractive to large numbers of people.

[Odin2005]

6. Thinking is hard work.

People people prefer nice-sounding BS.

[trotsky]

13. WE HAVE A WINNER! n/t

[Odin2005]

19. I'm Speechless!

:D

[Heddi]

14. Are we interested in Quality, or Quantity?

Far be it for me to have any opinion on vapid, inane posts :cough: but I suppose when the entirety of the first page of the forum is a call for healing vibes, positive light wishes, dream interpretation, general "vibe" reading, white light, healing requests, non-denominational prayer circles, and prognostications based on star movement and planet names, I suppose it's easy to have alot of traffic.

However I'd rather have a forum that actually promotes discussion in the replies instead of every post basically having 45 replies of (((hugs!!))) or giving false hope to people with dying family members and missing wedding rings.

[SheilaT]

17. I'm constantly surprised at the forums

which have very little activity. I almost never start a thread, although I'll obviously respond to them.

But I wonder if the difference is that perhaps more people visit the ASAH group than these others, or that they simply have a lot more to say to each other.