Globalisation:IBLF Supporters & their Activities
GlaxoSmithKline
Animal Testing
It is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and has a direct influence on UK Government policy, including animal experimentation policy, for which it has lobbied for a relaxation of regulations.[1]
Glaxo-SmithKline (GSK) got an emergency injunction rushed through the High Court on Tuesday May 9th to stop activists publishing names and addresses of shareholders. A letter from an unknown animal rights group had already been sent to at least 160 investors to warn them they had two weeks to sell their shares or be named on a website. Activists want to sever the drug giant’s links with doomed animal torturers Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS).
GSK actually cut ties with HLS eight years ago, after a documentary exposed some of the shocking cruelty in their animal labs - but linked up again as soon as the dust had settled a year later. Glaxo boss, Jean Pierre Garnier has been telling reporters that they’re a benevolent company really... Testing drugs on a few fluffy rabbits is OK because the goal it to save people from disease. But pharma companies spend just 0.2% of their money developing drugs for poverty related diseases like tuberculosis, which affect almost one fifth of the world’s population. Instead Glaxo prefers to pump their cash into Western vanities like slimming products, in an attempt to follow a trail of cash rather than the most common diseases.[2]
The Government publicly condemned the campaign by animal rights activists to force GSK to pull its contracts from the controversial Huntingdon Life Sciences lab. And peers have voted through a new law which will make it harder to get hold of personal details. [3]
Products
Lucozade - The family of Lucozade products is designed to give you an edge. [4]
Ingredients - Carbonated Water, Glucose Syrup (26%), Citric Acid,Lactic Acid, Flavourings (incl. caffeine), Perservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulphite), Antioxidant 9Ascorbic Acid), Colour (Sunset Yellow)[5]
Sodium benzoate (E211), an artificial food preservative. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that mixtures of artificial food colourings and sodium benzoate could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.According to the FSA, studies have also shown that sodium benzoate and other benzoates (E210, E211, E212, E213, E214, E215, E216, E217, E218 and E219) could make the symptoms of asthma and eczema worse in children who already have these conditions. Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that sodium benzoate and other benzoates may be “mildly irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities. [6]
Notes
- ↑ Animal Testing accessed 23 February 2008
- ↑ Animal Testing accessed 23 february 2008
- ↑ Channel4 news 9 May 2006 accessed 23 February 2008
- ↑ Lucozade accessed 23 February 2008
- ↑ Lucozade ingredients accessed 23 February 2008
- ↑ Sodium Benzoate E211 accessed 23 February 2008
