Daily Archives: November 2, 2009

H1N1 vaccine report on 60 Minutes

The H1N1 virus is pretty much widespread across the US now and there’s not enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone trying to get it. 60 Minutes explores why by reporting on the manufacture, distribution and safety of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Five companies are making vaccine, but only one in America. 60 Minutes visits that facility and talks to Sam Lee, director of manufacturing technology at French drug company Sanofi Pasteur.

In the plant as clean as a hospital operating room, Sam Lee talks about the vaccine manufacturing process using eggs in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. The whole process takes about three months. Sanofi Pasteur has a federal contract to make 75 million doses. They will go through millions of eggs. Apparently, there are secret egg farms in the US as part of a $7 billion project launched five years ago by the Bush administration to build factories and infrastructure to make vaccine in case of a pandemic. (Hope the egg usage doesn’t affect other food supply and prices like ethanol gas did just a couple years ago.)

BTW – if you’re going to see a health professional about a flu shot, we suggest you also asked to be tested for hepatitis B, which affects 1 in 10 Asian Americans.

H1N1 vaccine report on 60 Minutes (Check Sam Lee at the 3:40 mark)

Grace Park in Maxim

Battlestar Galactica babes Grace Park and Tricia Helfer are on the cover of the November 2009 issue of Maxim. You can see some of the photos here. Also we found some behind the scenes footage of the photo shoot.

See more Grace Park in these recently released DVDs: Battlestar Galactica : The Plan and West 32nd.

Grace Park in Maxim – behind the scenes

More Grace Park in Maxim – behind the scenes

Yakuza liver transplant on 60 Minutes

On 60 Minutes, they profiled a story about Tadamasa Goto aka the “John Gotti of Japan.” He cut a deal with the FBI to enter the US in exchange for information about Yakuza criminal activity in the US. Once he entered the US, he jumped to the top of a long waiting list for a liver transplant at UCLA Medical Center. He got a liver in just six weeks and was number 80 on the waiting list. Not only did Tadamasa Goto get a transplant, but also three of his Yakuza associates. UCLA says each of their transplants cost about $400,000 dollars and the Yakuza all paid cash. In addition to paying the bills, the Yakuza each made $100,000 donations to the transplant center. Goto donated $1 million.

Yakuza liver transplant on 60 Minutes

Supposedly, Tadamasa Goto left the Yakuza and entered priesthood

Giant Robot Biennale 2 : 15 years

If you’re in Los Angeles, drop by the Japanese American National Museum and take a peek at the Giant Robot Biennale 2 : 15 years exhibition. The exhibit is curated by Giant Robot co-founder and co-editor Eric Nakamura and highlights artists associated with the magazine over the past 15 years. Featured artists include David Choe, James Jean, Souther Salazar, Theo Ellsworth, kozyndan, Stella Lai, Jack Long, Albert Reyes, Jeff Soto, Rob Sato, and Deth P. Sun. Check it out until January 24, 2010.

As part of the program, there will be a screening of Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe on November 12, 2009. This film rocks. Be sure to see it, if you’ve never seen it.

Giant Robot Biennale 2 : 15 years