Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) – Peptides: Great Medicine or Snake Oil?

Peptides have been in the news lately. In opposition to FDA staff recommendations, an FDA advisory committee has recommended that six popular peptides be put on a list of biologic agents that can be supplied by compounding pharmacies. One other peptide that was being considered was not recommended. What are peptides? What are they used for and why are they so controversial? How are they regulated? Was the FDA committee decision a good one? At the next Café Inquiry we will examine these questions and more. This interview summary from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides a succinct discussion of the recent FDA action, with a link to the audio if you prefer to listen. This short article about one popular peptide explains the concerns about encouraging its use. This article, and also this one,  from the “Science-Based Medicine” site provide a good summary of what peptides are and the controversy about their regulation. Finally, we recommend you watch this 5 minute video for a brief history of the FDA. See you there!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

To access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of the west hallway.

Parking information – Street parking, if you can find it, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.

Events are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/