Implant report holds legal implications

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CNN's Eileen O'Connor reports on the impact the study on breast implants may have on women's health issues.
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Breast implants don't cause serious illnesses, panel says

June 22, 1999
Web posted at: 4:29 p.m. EDT (2029 GMT)

(CNN) -- The release of the Institute of Medicine's report Monday claiming silicone breast implants do not cause serious illnesses raises serious personal, legal and business implications.

The private federal advisory panel's report said, "There is no evidence to suggest that the silicones used in implants are toxic to humans."

A day after its release, some patients see the findings as vindication because it did advise that ruptures in silicone gel breast implants cause complications.

But Dow Corning, the biggest manufacturer of silicon implants, said this latest report confirms what it already knew. The company said it has always advised women about the potential for local complications from ruptures and denied that they occur frequently.

The implants have been a major source of litigation in recent years. Dow Corning says it will go ahead with its $3.2 billion settlement but will be more cautious in the future.