ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270028
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
NEWS FLASH for The Roanoke Times and two local television stations:
The pigs may have to leave Vinton, and the lost dog has returned to its distant owners.
If you're looking for replacement news for the next month, please be alerted that five groundhogs have invaded the backyard of our neighborhood here in the city of Roanoke.
MARY RUTH HOLFIELD
ROANOKE
Melatonin expert may have a conflict
IN YOUR June 16 People's Pharmacy column by Joe and Teresa Graedon (``Reader defends melatonin as a `natural medicine'''), Dr. Richard Wurtman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is presented as an expert on melatonin research. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that, when taken in pill form, works to relieve insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Not citing any references, Wurtman makes several highly derogatory statements concerning the quality, potency and safety of melatonin sold as over-the-counter medicine in pharmacies and natural-food stores. What isn't disclosed in the article is that he isn't an unbiased observer, but has financial interests in making these statements.
According to an article in The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 31, 1994), he owns nearly 1 million shares of Internueron Pharmaceuticals Inc., then worth about $6 million.
This company owns the patent for the rights to sell melatonin as a prescription drug for sleep disorders. In criticizing over-the-counter sales of melatonin, Wurtman is actually attempting to stir action to force the government to restrict the right of his competitors to sell their product. Such shameless self-promotion in the guise of consumer education is disappointing to say the least.
The Graedons should be more careful in checking the financial background of their ``experts'' for possible conflicts of interest.
CLARK WEBB
BLACKSBURG
Earlier probe ended in church fire
THE PRESS and government are correctly condemning the recent rash of church fires. Many of these churches have a membership that's mainly people of color. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating dozens of these fires.
Why?
The ``A'' in BATF stands for alcohol, not arson. The BATF is an arm of the Treasury Department. It's a tax collection agency, not a forensics clearinghouse.
The church fires need investigating, but isn't the BATF investigation of these events another episode of a federal agency overstepping its bounds?
Aren't there plenty of local, state and federal agencies charged with investigating such things? No matter how good the intentions, this is clearly beyond the scope of the BATF's charter, and an improper use of taxpayer money.
I raise this issue because several years ago the BATF was engaged in a similarly dubious operation. It overstepped its bounds by investigating, among other things, allegations of child molestation. That operation occurred at a church whose membership was mainly people of color.
The church had a dormitory attached, and was referred to as the Branch Davidian compound. The investigation ended when dozens perished in a church fire.
The BATF is clearly not the right tool for this job.
TODD PUKANECZ
BLACKSBURG
Roanokers bask in city's honor
ALL ROANOKERS surely should feel good about the city being named an All America City for the fifth time (June 16 article, ``Just in time for the 4th of July'')!
This honor was given because our community works together, and this should make us even more aware of helping each other.
Many things suggest that Roanoke is making steady progress. Alvin Fink has shown his faith in the valley by investing in an elegant jewelry store. Many new businesses are filling some of the vacant spaces downtown. The City Market is thriving.
Marilyn Arbogast, our horticulturalist, has the city looking better than ever. Her well-planned flower beds are spectacular - and how about those gorgeous valley-beautiful hanging baskets!
Thanks to all city employees and city residents who work together to make Roanoke a wonderful place to live. Perhaps we'll get that All America City Award again next year, too!
HELEN C. FITZPATRICK
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB