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The dark side of Johnson & Johnson
Apr 3, 2025
Gardiner Harris, an investigative journalist and author of 'No More Tears,' exposes the troubling history of Johnson & Johnson. He reveals the dark realities behind their baby powder scandal, including contamination with asbestos. Harris discusses the company's role in the opioid epidemic and highlights systemic failures in healthcare oversight. He calls for ethical reforms to hold corporations accountable, emphasizing the need for transparency to protect public health. A riveting exploration of corporate malfeasance and its real-world consequences.
43:57
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Quick takeaways
- Johnson & Johnson has a long history of misleading the public about the safety of its products, notably baby powder linked to cancer.
- The company's role in the opioid crisis and its contribution to the epidemic highlights serious public health implications and accountability issues.
Deep dives
The Dark Legacy of Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder
Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder, long marketed as a trusted product for infants, has a troubling association with asbestos contamination. The company knew about the presence of asbestos in its talc-based powder for decades but maintained a public facade of safety, contributing to harmful health outcomes. Evidence from various lawsuits reveals that around 100,000 women likely developed ovarian cancer due to the product, many of which resulted from the critical analysis of internal documents. Despite billions in legal settlements and a recent decision to stop selling the talc version, J&J attributes its withdrawal to misinformation rather than the serious health concerns linked to its product.
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