BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been eight years now since the federal government passed the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Bill in Canada. The passage of Bill C-14 in 2016 after the Supreme Court ruling in 2015 in the case of Carter Canada ruled that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are violated if there is complete ban on assisted dying. Many believe that as a nation we have passed the point of no return and there is not much we can do to change course. The legalization of assisted death has opened Pandora’s box. The passage of a bill on February 26^th, 2024, to delay MAID for mental illness in Ottawa is good news, but too late.

One of the challenges that legislators have to deal with in Ottawa is when they should pass legislation to extend MAID to people who suffer from mental illness. On Thursday, February 1^st, 2024, they tabled a bill that delayed this extension until 2027. They hope that four years from now they will be able to come to some sort of consensus.

In an op-ed piece in the Toronto Star on Tuesday, February 6^th, the writer raises concerns about the dramatic rise in MAID provisions and our limited understanding about what’s driving the increase. The article quotes data that show that between 2019 and 2022, there was an increase in assisted deaths by an average of 31.1%. There were over 13,000 assisted deaths in 2022, which represents approximately four percent of the total number of deaths in Canada. This rapid increase “Makes Canada the fastest MAID adopter in history,” according to an analysis obtained from Health Canada’s Fourth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. If MAID was listed as a cause of death by Statistics Canada, it would account for the sixth major cause of death in Canada.

This is great cause for concern as it begs the question, “What is driving this significant escalation in the number of people who are choosing assisted dying as a resort to deal with the pain and suffering of this present world?”

There is presently anecdotal evidence that seems to indicate that a lack of economic, or social support and “loneliness or isolation ” are possible factors. Approximately 17% ascribed loneliness as a factor in their decision to seek MAID.

The fact that the World Health Organization does not document physicians code MAID deaths, but instead ascribes it to the underlying condition makes it hard to know the exact figure. The data on MAID that have occurred within Canada in the past two years indicate reasons for concerns. At the outset of MAID all that was required was that a patient meet all of the following criteria which include a serious illness, or disability, in an “advanced state” of decline that could not be reversed, experiencing unbearable physical, or mental suffering, and when natural death was “reasonably foreseeable.”

Many of the troubling and alarming situations result from what motivated Canadians to consider MAIDS. There is the case of Alan Nichols who according to The Associated Press, mentioned that hearing loss was his medical status, but opted for MAID after being hospitalized for suicidal ideation.

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Alright, eggs. That’s all I need,” you say to yourself. “Ah, there we go!”

You make your way to the dairy aisle, scanning the shelves for the eggs: Cage-free. Free-range. Hormone-free. Pasture-raised. Natural. Organic.

It’s gotten more and more challenging to keep track of what all the egg cartons at the supermarket even mean. Consumers want to feel like the chickens producing their eggs have been humanely raised, and they’re willing to shell out cash to anyone who can tell them that’s the case.

There are a lot of options, and we want the chickens who lay eggs to live humane lives, but we have to understand that cheaper food might just be at the expense of something, and in this case, it is at the expense of chickens.

Here’s the thing: Some companies are simply getting better at carefully wording things on their packaging to make it seem like their chickens are living better lives. So, which labels should you look for, and which labels are just clever marketing designed to trick you into paying more for your eggs? Unfortunately, the idea of factory farms is a reality, and how you are getting your eggs is going to horrify you.

Chickens are remarkable creatures known for their egg-laying abilities, but their productive lifespan in this regard varies depending on various factors including breed, health, and environment. Generally, most laying hens will start laying eggs at around five to six months of age and will continue to do so for several years. Factory farming often involves keeping chickens in cramped, unsanitary conditions with little room to move, leading to stress, injuries, and poor welfare. Practices such as: overcrowding, selective breeding for fast growth, and the use of cages, or overcrowded indoor environments raise ethical questions about how the animals are treated.

Factory farming practices, including the heavy use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded conditions, have raised concerns about the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can pose a threat to human health. Additionally, the crowded and unsanitary conditions in which chickens are raised can increase the risk of disease transmission among the animals, potentially leading to outbreaks that can affect both animal and human populations.

Let’s look at the lingo they are using to trick you into thinking that you are getting what you think you are getting:

“Cage-free eggs” refers to eggs that come from hens that are not kept in cages. Instead, they are typically housed in large barns, or warehouses where they are free to roam, perch, and lay their eggs in nests. Cage-free systems generally provide hens with more space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors compared to traditional cage systems.

However, it’s important to note that while cage-free systems offer some improvements in animal welfare compared to traditional cages, they do not guarantee that the hens have access to outdoor areas, or natural sunlight, nor do they address other important welfare issues such as beak trimming, or overcrowding. The specific conditions within cage-free facilities can vary widely depending on the farm and the standards they adhere to.

“Free-range eggs” come from hens that are allowed some level of access to the outdoors, as opposed to being confined solely to cages or indoor pens. The term “free-range” suggests that the hens have the ability to roam around and engage in natural behaviors like scratching and pecking. However, there are a few potential catches or considerations with free-range eggs:

• Different countries and regions have varying definitions and regulations regarding what constitutes “free-range.” Some standards may require a certain amount of outdoor access per hen, while others may be less stringent. This can lead to inconsistency in the quality of life for the hens and the nutritional content of the eggs.
• In some cases, free-range systems can still involve large numbers of hens crowded into relatively small outdoor spaces. This can lead to competition for resources and potential welfare issues among the hens.

Free-range eggs often come at a higher price point compared to conventional eggs due to the additional space and resources required to produce them. Consumers may need to weigh the perceived benefits of free-range production against the higher cost.

Now we want to present to you some options that might help some of you feel less guilty when cracking that egg at breakfast time:

Animal Welfare Approved

Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) is a certification program that sets rigorous standards for the welfare of farm animals. Established by the non-profit organization, the Animal Welfare Institute, AWA ensures that animals raised for food are treated with respect and care throughout their lives. Farms that receive the AWA certification must adhere to strict criteria regarding living conditions, space allowances, access to the outdoors, and humane handling practices. The certification not only benefits the animals but also empowers consumers to make informed choices that align with their values.

Certified Humane

Certified Humane is a rigorous animal welfare certification program that ensures animals are raised, handled, and slaughtered according to high standards of care and compassion. Administered by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), Certified Humane sets criteria for housing, diet, healthcare, and handling practices on farms and facilities. Farmers and producers who meet these standards provide animals with more spacious and enriched environments, access to the outdoors, and the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors. This certification empowers consumers to make ethical choices, fostering a greater connection between consumers and the animals that provide their food.

Global Animal Partnership

Global Animal Partnership (GAP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of farm animals around the world. Established in 2008, GAP works with farmers, producers, and retailers to set and implement comprehensive animal welfare standards. These standards cover a range of factors including housing, diet, healthcare, and handling practices. By partnering with stakeholders across the food industry, GAP aims to create a more humane and sustainable future for farm animals, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

I hate to be the bearer of bad news my beautiful sisters, but some of you might be doing things to your body, and your daughter’s body that will affect them in the future. What is that you ask? Well, it is that product that some of us use to make sure that our kink remains tame.

Several landmark studies have been published in the last year highlighting the link between chemical hair relaxers — which are reported to increase rates of uterine cancer. A couple weeks ago, after pressure from Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Shontel Brown of Ohio, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on hair-smoothing, and hair-straightening products containing formaldehyde, an ingredient known to cause cancer.

As more research continues to reveal potential dangers, hundreds of African American people have filed lawsuits against big-name beauty and cosmetic retailers like: L’Oréal and Revlon, blaming their chemical hair straighteners as causes of uterine cancer, fibroid tumors and infertility.

I read a story about a woman who developed kidney damage on three separate occasions after receiving hair-straightening treatments at a salon. Her doctors say one of the products used likely caused the organ injuries.

The 26-year-old woman visited a salon to receive the popular hair treatment in June 2020, April 2021 and July 2022. She claims that she had no previous health problems, but on the day of each visit, she experienced: vomiting, diarrhea, fever and back pain. She reported feeling burning on her scalp during the hair treatment and developed ulcers on her head shortly afterwards.

So naturally, she went to the doctor again, and what they had to tell her surprised her; doctors found she had raised levels of creatinine in her blood, a sign that her kidneys were malfunctioning. She had blood in her urine, but showed no other signs of infection, and her urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra, were not blocked, a computed tomography (CT) scan showed.

At each salon appointment, the woman’s hair was treated with a straightening cream containing the chemical glyoxylic acid. This likely caused her scalp to burn and ulcerate, her doctors suggested in a report of her case, published March 21^st in The New England Journal of Medicine. Based on experiments in mice, they also theorized that the acid absorbed through her skin and reached her kidneys, which caused damage upon being broken down. Can you imagine that?

In 2021, the BWHS found that African descended women who used hair products containing lye, an ingredient typically found in salon relaxers, at least seven times a year for more than 15 years had a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Among the 50,543 women who participated in the 25-year study, 2,311 participants had developed breast cancer, including 1,843 who developed invasive breast cancers, meaning the cancers spread into surrounding breast tissue. While African descended women have a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women, they have a 40% higher breast cancer death rate, according to the American Cancer Society.

The latest research on the effects of hair relaxers was published by Boston University. According to the Black Women’s Health Study, or BWHS, postmenopausal African descended women who have used chemical hair relaxers more than twice a year or for more than five years have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.

In following 44,798 African descended women for up to 22 years, researchers found a higher rate of uterine cancer among postmenopausal women who reported having used chemical hair relaxers for at least 10 years, regardless of frequency. Better grasping African descended peoples’ health and the factors that contribute to racial disparities in cancer was the intent behind the 22-year study.

So why is all this happening? Why is a relaxer so harmful? Chemical hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can disrupt the functions of the endocrine system (which includes the: thyroid, ovaries, pancreas and adrenal glands) and affect hormone levels. These chemicals include phthalates and parabens, which can be found in relaxers. People can be exposed to them by absorption through the skin or inhaling them in the air. Black women are often exposed to endocrine disruptors by using relaxers, which are applied on the scalp.

Long story short, women of colour; there are other options now: wigs, extensions, or just rocking your natural, especially because now we are supposedly “trending!”

A message to African descended women: embrace your essence with pride. Your identity, appearance, and the natural kink of your hair are manifestations of greatness. By celebrating who you are and how you look, you honor your heritage and affirm your beauty. Embrace your uniqueness with confidence, for it is a testament to the richness of your cultural legacy.

REFERENCES:

https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/hair-straightening-cream-tied-to-womans-repeated-kidney-damage?lrh=a587573c54ff8701ae005c06f0a9c71b116a5f240c9a8576e37816455e4015b7

https://www.theroot.com/exclusive-the-f-d-a-is-taking-major-action-to-protect-1850906156

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-proposes-ban-hair-relaxers-formaldehyde-rcna120866

https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/114/12/1636/6759686?login=false

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chemical-hair-straighteners-linked-higher-risk-uterine-cancer-black-wo-rcna52576

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer/invasive-breast-cancer.html#:~:text=Breast%20cancers%20that%20have%20spread,carcinoma%20and%20invasive%20lobular%20carcinoma.

https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/breast-cancer-death-rates-are-highest-for-black-women-again.html

Moderate Use of Hair Relaxers Does Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk Among Black Women