There may be an explanation,
but I'm afraid to research any further,
for fear of losing my mind.
Posted on 12/01/2005 5:59:43 AM PST by Qwertrew
Tom Cruise hasn't made many friends within the medical community lately.
First the American Psychiatric Association slammed the actor for referring to psychiatry as a "pseudoscience," calling Cruise's remarks "irresponsible." Now the American College of Radiology is up in arms over Cruise's admission that he purchased a sonogram machine and uses it to perform at-home ultrasounds on fiancee Katie Holmes.
The ACR issued a statement warning that Cruise and Holmes could potentially harm their unborn baby by performing ultrasounds without the benefit of a doctor's supervision
"This is a patient safety issue. Untrained people, even if they have the financial means, should not buy, or be allowed to buy and operate, ultrasound machines which are, in fact, medical devices and should not be used without a medical indication," said Dr. Carol M. Rumack, chair of the ACR Ultrasound Commission.
Cruise gushed about his purchase to Barbara Walters during an interview for her special Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005, which aired Tuesday.
"I bought a sonogram machine," Cruise told Walters during the interview, which was taped Oct. 30. "I am going to donate it to a hospital when we are done."
Somewhat startled, Walters replied, "Wait, you are going to do your own sonogram?"
"Yes," Cruise replied, chuckling.
The couch-jumping thesp told Walters that he did not know the sex of his offspring, but that he saw "a little baby" when he performed the ultrasound.
Cruise's purchase is estimated to have set him back anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000. However, the ACR is not convinced that the War of the Worlds star fully understands the complexities of the device.
"The ACR is concerned that Tom Cruise has been badly advised regarding the use and potential abuse of ultrasound," Dr. Rumack stated. "There are many abnormalities that may be missed by the untrained eye. Also, if it is not medically necessary, the use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the fetus."
The ACR isn't the only organization concerned about Cruise's personal sonogram machine. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the actor may even be violating the law by possessing the device.
"Persons who promote, sell or lease ultrasound equipment for making 'keepsake' fetal videos should know that FDA views this as an unapproved use of a medical device," the FDA stated. "In addition, those who subject individuals to ultrasound exposure using a diagnostic ultrasound device (a prescription device) without a physician's order may be in violation of state or local laws or regulations regarding use of a prescription medical device."
Cruise's representatives did not respond to requests for comment on the sonogram issue.
Meanwhile, Cruise and Holmes have been taking a break from their at-home ultrasound project while spending time in Shanghai, where Cruise has been filming scenes for Mission: Impossible 3.
At a press roundup Wednesday, Cruise grabbed a cell phone from a reporter who dared to take a call during the event and began chatting to the surprised party at the other end.
"Put her on the phone. I want to talk to her," Cruise demanded, asking to talk to the female caller, whom he presumed to be the reporter's girlfriend.
"Hello. Xiexie. Ni hao. Are you good?" said Cruise, throwing out the Chinese words for "thank you" and "hello" like a natural.
"Are you good? Are you working?" he asked. "Are you going to get engaged? Soon? Maybe?"
After a translator stepped in to assist, it was revealed that the caller was actually the reporter's wife.
"Tell her I wish her happiness," Cruise said.
On the subject of his own wedding, Cruise remained teasingly elusive.
"You want to know where we're gonna get married? The exact date? The exact place? The color dress, designer?" he quizzed reporters. "You know, we haven't set a date...It will happen next year."
What are you doing hanging out at a site called "red state moron"? The gist of that article you referenced is that non-medical U/S carries a biopsychological risk and not necessarily to the pregnant mother. I like the response posted by the general surgeon that calls out the author on that premise. No, I'd rather see a study about the physical risks and not a pseudo-psychological argument likely hiding a fear that abortion rates will go down once routine access to U/S imaging is available.
It's apparent from the many episodes that he has "oppositional-defiant disorder" and is a pathological control freak.
The FDA adds millions in the cost of bringing new drugs to market. They play a valuable role but add delays and cost to valuable new treatments.
I'll let folks read and judge for themselves, figuring that they'll have enough brains to trust but verify, not to mention consider the source. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while :)
FWIW, I'm not thrilled with the idea of repeated ultrasounds unless they're medically necessary. Which certainly isn't the case here.
There's no way to know what the long term dangers are until a procedure has been used over many years.
Some procedures thought to be perfectly safe have been found to have long term effects. The sound waves might have some subtle negative effect. They may not.
The potential danger exists. That is why there are limits placed on the number during normal pregnancies.
I just wonder about the dramatic increase in the number of autistic children. I don't know if sonograms have ever been linked to that epidemic.
Oh really? His rabid pro-abortion Hollywood friends are not gonna like his terminology.
Oops, excuse my ambiguity... I meant "attack" Cruise on his decision
The deal is they aren't all that safe. They really try to limit unnecessary exposure.
Thanks for that link. I've never seen South Park before and must say, they were right on target exposing that cult for the scam it is.
Oh, well, attacking Cruise.....that's a different matter altogether..... ;-)
...
scary.
I worked on a production in the 1980's which starred AMY IRVING. She was married to Spielberg at the time. She had just found out she was pregnant. He actually came to the set, gathered everyone around, and told us how he expected Amy to be treated now that she's pregnanat because she was carrying the next "Messiah." Now, you may think that's funny, but the man did not say it for laughs. It was scary.
I'm not...I'm not it in the closet.
Please send me evidence for your claim... not saying you're wrong, just would like to know why you say what you say, for my own edification
Ultrasound is just that: sound waves. What harm are we supposed to believe is going to be done to the child by sound waves -- not even sound waves of an audible frequency!
Yes, Tom Cruise is a moonbat. But this is pure self-serving hysteria-mongering by the medical community.
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