Concern over foreign interest in breast tonic
Tuesday October 20 8:39 AM EDT
dailynews.yahoo.com
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Concern is growing in Thailand that an herbal plant root believed to be
effective in boosting breast size may fall into foreign hands.
Wichai Cherdshewasart, an associate professor in plant biotechnology at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn
University, told Reuters the pueraria mirifica root had been popular with Thai women for decades.
''It shows an oestrogenic effect, it can enlarge breasts and hips,'' he said. ''How much depends from
woman to woman. If a woman's breasts are large already, the effect will be greater.''
''Japanese firms are especially interested and have been exporting it to Japan,'' he said, adding that
the trade was potentially highly lucrative.
Monday's Bangkok Post newspaper quoted a source in the Agriculture Department as saying that
Japanese, German and U.S. firms have been conducting research into the plant in Thailand.
''If they are successful in breeding the plant and registering it as their own species, it would be a great
disadvantage for Thailand,'' the paper said.
The source told the paper the best way to prevent piracy of the species by foreigners would be to
declare it protected and ban its export.
Thailand's Council of State is currently considering a Plant Variety Protection Bill proposed by the
Agriculture Ministry and aimed at combating such piracy.
The Bangkok Post quoted Pennapa Subcharoen, director of the National Institute of Thai Traditional
Medicine, as saying that sales of the plant to foreigners in northern provinces was widespread and it
could soon become extinct.
Wichai said the plant is indigenous to jungles of northern Thailand.
He warned the plant should be avoided by anyone suffering from breast, ovarian or uterine tumors or
thyroid problems. Young girls should not take it as it could cause a hormonal imbalance if used
before physical maturity.
Pennapa was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying that so far research on the plant had been
inconclusive and more had to be done into the side effects of long-term use.
_________________________________________
Monday October 19 7:29 PM EDT
Ex Spice Girl to become U.N. ambassador
LONDON (Reuters) - Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is completing her own reinvention by
becoming a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.
The British singer, who has been shaking off her Sexy Spice image since leaving the all girl band
earlier this year, on Monday boarded a plane for New York for a meeting with U.N. Secretary
General Kofi Annan.
Halliwell, 26, is following in the footsteps of stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Luciano Pavarotti
who have acted as U.N. goodwill ambassadors.
Media reports say she will travel the world promoting contraception and AIDS awareness, but she
declined to comment on her new role to reporters at London's Heathrow Airport.
The appointment is the latest stage in Halliwell's transformation from Ginger Spice, who was famed
for her miniscule skirts, deep cleavage and gaudy make-up, to international charity worker.
Halliwell now eschews her Spice Girl outfits in favor of dark suits and a demure tied back hairstyle.
She has been campaigning for breast cancer charities in Britain.
The Spice Girls, meanwhile, now down to four, have continued to turn out hit records without
Halliwell, who was always reported to have been the power behind the group.
|
