Hey, Baxter, What About U.S. People?

According to the article “Baxter to Settle in Japanese Tainted Blood Case” (March 15), Baxter International Inc. has agreed to compensate each of 400 Japanese hemophiliacs with a one-time settlement of $420,000 plus $1,425 per month for life. Baxter also sent its “heartfelt apologies” to the “innocent victims” and their families.

Nice gesture! Too bad the same settlement and heart-rending remorse is not applicable to its American HIV victims or to the women sporting its silicone breast implants.

Why the double standard? Perhaps it is because the Japanese government looks after its citizens by insisting that the price of doing business in Japan includes corporate “accountability and responsibility,” whereas Uncle Sam has encouraged economic growth to the exclusion of human beings and the human community. Sad!

DERVA J. SNIDER

San Juan Capistrano