A vast majority of the human tissue imported into the United States comes from dead Ukrainians, thanks to Tutogen Medical GmbH and its Ukrainian partner Bioimplant. Although they’re engaged in illegal tissue trading, they are practically immune to Ukrainian authorities because the director of Bioimplant has close ties to the Ukrainian Health Ministry. Aside from that, Bioimplant claims that they extract tissue to turn it into bio-implants (which aren’t considered tissue), which makes it easier for the ministry to drop investigations against the company even if their claims aren’t true. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
