The Chronicle T h e i n d e p e n d e n t d a i ly at D u k e U n i v e r s i t y
tuesday, september 28, 2010
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 24
www.dukechronicle.com
Researcher develops immunotherapy to control peanut allergies by Julian Spector THE CHRONICLE
Dr. Wesley Burks is leading the charge in a possible revolution in the world of food allergies with from his lab in the Medical Sciences Research Building. Burks, chief of the division of allergy and immunology in the department of pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center, is conducting studies in oral and sublingual immunotherapy that have made it possible for some children with once-fatal peanut allergies to safely consume peanut products. His subjects receive low doses of peanut daily—increasing from minute to larger doses over a period of years—that desensitize their immune systems to the consumption of peanuts. Some patients can tolerate between 10 and 20 peanuts after several months of treatment, Burks said. “It’s a level of protection you’re affording them that they didn’t have before,” he said. “Before the study they all had reactions to literally less than onesixth of a peanut.” Burks said there are two concrete goals in the peanut allergy testing: desensitization and, in the long term, complete immunization. Participants can receive either oral immunotherapy, in which they swallow a powder with
a carefully measured dose of peanut product, or sublingual treatment, in which the subject holds the powder below the tongue before swallowing, Burks said. He noted, however, that currently patients’ tolerance is not a complete solution for the allergy, because the tolerance is not necessarily permanent. “It’s still a study,” Burks said. “There are lots of things that we have to learn about it, the good and the allergic side effects. We really need to do that before it becomes the standard of care.” Cautious optimism Freshman Shannon Kalsow lives with a hypersensitive peanut allergy that she says her allergist described as a 10 out of 10 in severity. “If I smell it, I feel uncomfortable. If I touch it, I’ll get hives up my arm. Eating it is fatal,” she said. Kalsow recently took the first steps toward participating in one of Burks’ studies, but said she feels uneasy about the process because her allergist at home warned against going “anywhere near treatment.” Still, the opportunity to build up a tolerance for peanuts is appealing. “I do have complete faith in Dr. Burks,” Kalsow said. “He’s See peanut allergy on page 3
rahiel alemu/The Chronicle
Save the Children CEO Charles MacCormack spoke Monday on the implications of changing attitudes toward NGOs.
NGO CEO explores increasing emphasis on development by Jessica Kim THE CHRONICLE
Charles MacCormack said nonprofits are in desperate need of “orchestra leaders”: people with technical backgrounds and entrepreneurial instincts that can
handle global problems in an increasingly complex world. MacCormack, chief executive officer for Save the Children, addressed nonprofit organizations in an era in which he said development has become more
by Sony Rao
ted knudsen/The Chronicle
DUSDAC considers eating habits on campus, Page 3
See maccormack on page 4
Event examines Jewish views on sex during Sukkot holiday THE CHRONICLE
Dr. Wesley Burks is developing a way for children with once-fatal peanut allergies to build up immunization by receiving low daily doses of peanuts.
popular among philanthropists, global corporations, celebrities and the general public. His talk, titled “A New Era of Development Assistance: Problems and
Although few teenagers would feel comfortable talking to a rabbi about sex, Jewish Dukies openly discussed the topic at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life Monday night. “Sex and the Sukkah” is part of a series of events held by the Freeman Center for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The program was also sponsored by Duke Hillel, Jewish Life at Duke, the Women’s Center and the Wellness Center. Sukkot is celebrated by building and spending time outdoors in a hut known as a sukkah. According to Jewish tradition, it is considered a “mitzvah” or good deed to perform activities in the sukkah usually done at home, including eating and having sex. “This event is a platform to discuss the Jewish perspectives on sex and what is considered healthy sexual behavior,” said junior Risa Isard, Jewish Life at Duke’s vice president for social action. Condoms were also freely available as an incentive for students to practice safe sex and to encour-
age conversation regarding sexual practices and consent, Isard said. The concept of the sukkah comes from the Talmud, the Jewish scroll of law, which originated roughly 1,500 years ago, said Rabbi Jeremy Yoskowitz, campus rabbi and assistant director for Jewish Life at Duke. Judaism sanctifies the concept of marriage and monogamous relationships, Yoskowitz said. In the Torah there is no specific discussion of premarital sex, although any form of adultery outside marriage is discouraged, he added. The event was a discussion among about 20 students and was led by Yoskwotiz and Amy Cleckler, the gender violence program coordinator at the Women’s Center. Yoskowitz opened the event by recounting a story in the Talmud where a young student, Rabbi Kahana, hid under the bed to observe his teacher, Rav, having intercourse with his wife.
ONTHERECORD
“If you are what you eat, then our nation is in the midst of an identity crisis.”
—Senior Eliza French in “You are what you eat.” See column page 11
See sukkah on page 4
Chris Rwabukamba takes Canadian talents to Duke, Page 7