Two Dallas women who had sued a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. for allegedly getting sick from their breast implants lost their case in a jury trial Wednesday (4-3). They are among thousands of women who claim that leaks from silicone implants and silicone-lined saline implants have caused serious diseases of the immune system including lupus which can lead to a variety of serious illnesses. Manufacturers deny allegations of links between their products and serious medical side-effects.
In an unrelated event, two federal judges in New York plan to bring together a panel of expert scientists to weigh various claims against breast implants. If the panel successfully sorts out the issue, its decision would only affect cases in New York, but a similar procedure might then be carried out by other judges
