Yes, patients with severe hemophilia A got HCV and AIDs from tainted blood products, mostly human-derived Factor VIII. Bayer was central, and came clean; other plasma fractionators had this as an issue too; these viruses in the blood supply were fully identified in the mid to late 80s. This was a national/worldwide problem and resulted in the move to recombinant and highly purified FVIII products, as well as limiting donors (no men with men sex, no IV drug users, no tattoos, etc). Yes, Arkansas and Clinton were a part of this too with the state specifically taking blood donations from prisoners.
” After the United States entered the war against Germany in April 1917, the Alien Property Custodian, a government agency that administers foreign property, seized Bayer’s U.S. assets. Two years later, the Bayer company name and trademarks for the United States and Canada were auctioned off and purchased by Sterling Products Company, later Sterling Winthrop, for $5.3 million.
Bayer became part of IG Farben, the conglomerate of German chemical industries that formed the financial heart of the Nazi regime. After World War II, the Allies split apart IG Farben, and Bayer again emerged as an individual company. Its purchase of Miles Laboratories in 1978 gave it a product line including Alka-Seltzer and Flintstones and One-A-Day Vitamins. In 1994, Bayer bought Sterling Winthrop’s over-the-counter business, gaining back rights to the Bayer name and logo and allowing the company once again to profit from American sales of its most famous product.”
What a history..
Thanks for the additional info, smileyface. I’m trying to learn more about the pharmaceutical and med research angles in all this.
There is something going on with genome studies, 23&me, medical centers research, genetic engineering, etc. A lot of interconnecting foundations, and Societies with fancy names, being sponsored by the big pharma companies.
I glossed over it, and by the I saw the 23&me folks mixed up in it, with their “spit” parties, I couldn’t go back and find the earlier connections.
But I keep trying. These links might help.
I got caught in the tainted blood scheme. Had an op in ‘81 and then was notified by the hospital that the blood batch contained HIV. Had to have follow ups and was clear. Very nervous time in-between.