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'''G. Edward Griffin''' (born November 7, 1931) is an American author, ], editor, and political lecturer. His focus has centered on a diverse range of controversial topics, such as ], politics, foreign policy, and banking. Critics have referred to him as a ] because of his unorthodox views on highly debated topics. The first book he authored, ''The Fearful Master'', published in 1964, focuses on the ], and what Griffin theorizes as a socialistic push for the creation of a new world government. He has since accumulated many successful titles to his credit, but perhaps the most notable is, ''The Creature From Jekyll Island'' (1994), a business best-seller that, 20 years later, is in its fifth edition. The book focuses on the ] which has long been embroiled in controversy because of its influence on the American economy.<ref name="USFinance">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JhYclE-xymoC&lpg=PP1&dq=isbn%3A9781563242311&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=The Evolution of U.S. Finance: Restructuring Institutions and Markets | publisher=M.E. Sharpe | author=Jane W. D'Arista | year=1994 | pages=253 | isbn=9781563242311}}</ref> Prior to writing the book, Griffin attended the ] in Denver, Colorado, and in 1989, he received designation as a ] (CFP), an education he sought in order to acquire a better understanding of investments and money markets.<ref name="GoldSeek">{{cite web | url=http://radio.goldseek.com/edwardgriffingronvall.php | title=G. Edward Griffin, Author of ''The Creature From Jekyll Island'' | publisher=Gold Seek LLC | work=Radio Interview With G. Edward Griffin | date=June 6, 2010 | accessdate=December 9, 2014 | author=Chris Waltzek}}</ref> | |||
'''G. Edward Griffin''' (born November 7, 1931) is an ] ],<ref>Easter, Sean (March 26, 2011). Media Matters for America. (Noting that Griffin is an AIDS denier who believes the government shot down Flight 93 on 9/11.</ref> ], ], and political lecturer.<ref name=mww/> He is perhaps best known as the author of ''The Creature from Jekyll Island'' (1994), which promotes conspiracy theories about the ]. He is also known for advocating the scientifically-unsupported view that cancer is a ] which can be cured by consuming more ], and for his promotion of the conspiracy theory that scientists and politicians are covering up this cure. | |||
Griffin also authored, '']'' (1974), which was inspired by information he received on a fishing trip with John Richardson, a physician from San Francisco, who claimed success treating his cancer patients with ], a highly debated alternative treatment for cancer that has not been approved by the ] (FDA).<ref name=NaturalNews>{{cite web | url=http://www.naturalnews.com/012923.html | title=World Without Cancer Author G. Edward Griffin Exposes How Corrupt Politics Prevent Real Cancer Cures From Reaching The Public | publisher = Natural News & Self Reliance | date = November 3, 2005 | accessdate = December 6, 2014 | author = Alexis Black}}</ref> Laetrile is a chemically modified form of ] (amygdalin), a plant compound that produces ], and is found in the pits of apricots and many other fruits and raw nuts, as well as in lima beans, clover, and sorghum. Laetrile is sometimes referred to as amygdalin, although the two are not the same. There are also modified, or fake versions of laetrile believed to be from Mexico that are being sold on the ].<ref name="NewScientist">{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PEq5TVFQ6NYC&pg=PA132&lpg=PA132&dq=black+market+laetrile&source=bl&ots=UmqCWGbPnJ&sig=ClAjmKzcoSlZ4yPamzGTizIV9jY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XIWIVJzOFoewggTgsoLIDg&ved=0CDMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=black%20market%20laetrile&f=false | title=New Controversy Surrounds Black Market Cancer Drug | author=Trux, Jon | journal=New Scientist | year=1976 | month=July | volume=7 | issue=1009 | pages=132}}</ref> Laetrile was patented in 1953 by biochemist, ], who was quoted as saying, "I know Laetrile is the anti-cancer, ] vitamin and I want it put to the test."<ref name="Star-Banner">{{cite news | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19810124&id=E4lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rAUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5607,4243600 | title=Laetrile Patent Owner Fights to Advance Drug | work=Ocala Star-Banner | date=January 24, 1981 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=December 9, 2014 | author=Tom Murphy | location=Ocala, Florida | pages=12A}}</ref> Several tests have been conducted over the years, most of which were either inconclusive or they determined Laetrile to be ineffective in the treatment of cancer. Proponents of orthodox medicine consider its use quackery. However, recent scientific research and the results of various laboratory tests using different types of human cancer cells indicate amygdalin to be successful as an anticancer substance.<ref name="Chen">{{cite journal | url=http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/08923973.2012.738688 | title=Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line HeLa Cells | author=Yu Chen, Jinshu Ma, Fang Wang, Jie Hu, Ai Cui, Chengguo Wei, Qing Yang, Fan Li | journal=Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology | year=2013 | month=February | volume=35 | issue=1 | pages=43-51 | doi=10.3109/08923973.2012.738688}}</ref> | |||
Starting as a ], he became a ] manager before age 20. He then began a career of producing ] and books on often-debated topics like cancer, the historicity of ], and the ], the ], terrorism, ], and ]. Since the 1970s, Griffin has promoted ] as a ],<ref name=tsapoc>{{cite web|author=Griffin, G. Edward|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjf9NGJfe8E|title=G. Edward Griffin - The Science and Politics of Cancer (2005)|type=video|date=2012-11-02|accessdate=2014-08-08}}</ref> a view considered quackery by the medical community.<ref name="ajcn">{{cite journal |author=Herbert V |title=Laetrile: the cult of cyanide. Promoting poison for profit |journal=Am. J. Clin. Nutr. |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=1121–58 |date=May 1979 |pmid=219680 |doi= |url=http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=219680}}</ref><ref name="Lerner1984">{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/1097-0142(19840201)53:3+<815::AID-CNCR2820531334>3.0.CO;2-U |author=Lerner IJ |title=The whys of cancer quackery |journal=Cancer |volume=53 |issue=3 Suppl |pages=815–9 |date=February 1984 |pmid=6362828 }}</ref> He has also promoted the ] as hosting the original Noah's Ark, against ]s as well as near-] ]. He has opposed the Federal Reserve since the 1960s, saying it constitutes a banking ] and an instrument of war and ].<ref>{{cite book|author=Thomas, Kenn|title=Popular Paranoia: A Steamshovel Press Anthology|publisher=Adventures Unlimited Press|year=2002|page=298|url=http://books.google.com/?id=bkGrNwr04VkC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=federal+reserve+%22instrument+of+totalitarianism%22|isbn=1-931882-06-1}}</ref> In 2002, Griffin founded the ] network Freedom Force International. | |||
==Early life and education== | ==Early life and education== | ||
Griffin was born in ], on November 7, 1931, and became a ] on local radio in 1942. By 1947, he was ]ing at ] (]), and continued as announcer at ] and station manager at ] (]), 1950–1955. He earned his ] from the ] in ] in 1953, majoring in speech and communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoresourceexpo.com/Default.aspx?tabid=170|title=Speaker Bio – G. Edward Griffin|publisher=Chicago Resource Expo|accessdate=2008-03-06}}{{deadlink|date=August 2014}}</ref> Griffin served in the ] from 1954 to 1956, |
Griffin was born in ], on November 7, 1931, and became a ] on local radio in 1942. By 1947, he was ]ing at ] (]), and continued as announcer at ] and station manager at ] (]), 1950–1955. He earned his ] from the ] in ] in 1953, majoring in speech and communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoresourceexpo.com/Default.aspx?tabid=170|title=Speaker Bio – G. Edward Griffin|publisher=Chicago Resource Expo|accessdate=2008-03-06}}{{deadlink|date=August 2014}}</ref> Griffin served in the ] from 1954 to 1956, and was promoted to the rank of ].<ref name=mww>{{cite book|title=Who's Who in America 1994|publisher=]|date=December 1993|edition=48th}}</ref> | ||
==Political advocacy== | ==Political advocacy== | ||
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In 2002, Griffin founded Freedom Force International.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5232639329002339531|title=Fiat Empire: Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution|publisher=Matrixx Productions|date=2006-12-05|accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref> whose members state that they value individual freedom above government power. The organization's position that the exclusive role of government is to protect people's ] and property, not to provide services like ], reflects Griffin's view that ] and freedom "are mortal enemies." One of the organization's stated goals is to elect people with such views to ] offices and onto the boards of ]s – true to its motto, "Don't fight city hall when you can ''be'' city hall." | In 2002, Griffin founded Freedom Force International.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5232639329002339531|title=Fiat Empire: Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution|publisher=Matrixx Productions|date=2006-12-05|accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref> whose members state that they value individual freedom above government power. The organization's position that the exclusive role of government is to protect people's ] and property, not to provide services like ], reflects Griffin's view that ] and freedom "are mortal enemies." One of the organization's stated goals is to elect people with such views to ] offices and onto the boards of ]s – true to its motto, "Don't fight city hall when you can ''be'' city hall." | ||
In 2006, Griffin was interviewed for the ] '']''. | |||
==''The Creature from Jekyll Island''== | ==''The Creature from Jekyll Island''== | ||
Line 44: | Line 42: | ||
Griffin's arguments in favor of a ], ] system inspired ] to develop such a system in 1998. Griffin states that von NotHaus's private ], known as ]s, are "real money".<ref>{{cite news|title=Paper notes need 'real' backing|work=]|date=1999-11-11|author=Chevreau, Jonathan}}</ref> | Griffin's arguments in favor of a ], ] system inspired ] to develop such a system in 1998. Griffin states that von NotHaus's private ], known as ]s, are "real money".<ref>{{cite news|title=Paper notes need 'real' backing|work=]|date=1999-11-11|author=Chevreau, Jonathan}}</ref> | ||
=='' World Without Cancer''== | |||
==Promotion of fringe science and conspiracy theories== | |||
⚫ | In 1974, Griffin wrote and published the book ''World Without Cancer'',<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB953678292240796576.html?mod=googlewsj|title=Laetrile Makes a Comeback Selling to Patients Online|work=]|author=Lagnado, Lucette|date=2000-03-22|accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref><ref name=mdn>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glpnews&img=\\na0023\6799503\57073949.html|title=Controversial Cancer Drug Laetrile Enters Political Realms|work=Middlesboro Daily News|date=1977-08-10|accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref> and released it as a documentary video; its second edition appeared in 1997, and it was translated into ], 1988, and ], 2005. Griffin is of the opinion "that cancer is a deficiency disease — like ] or ] - aggravated by the lack of an essential food compound in modern man's diet." Griffin has reason to believe that compound is ] (amygdalin), a natural cyanogenic diglucoside that is present in many fruits and plants belonging to the Rosaceae family such as apricots, peaches, and bitter almond.<ref name="2ndEdition">{{cite book | url=http://journeytoforever.org/bflpics/WorldWithoutCancer.pdf | title=World Without Cancer — The Story of Vitamin B17 - Second Edition | publisher=American Media | author=G. Edward Griffin | year=April 2001 | location=U.S. | isbn=0-912986-19-0}}</ref> He contends that "eliminating cancer through a nondrug therapy has not been accepted because of the hidden economic and power agendas of those who dominate the medical establishment"<ref name=gfh>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GF&s_site=grandforks&p_multi=GF&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FC4A32DE2007AA5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=New Library Books|publisher=]|work=Books|page=4|date=2003-07-13|accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref> and he wrote, "at the very top of the world's economic and political pyramid of power there is a grouping of financial, political, and industrial interests that, by the very nature of their goals, are the natural enemies of the nutritional approaches to health".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=bw63_lxnPtwC&pg=PA94|title=From Darkness to Light|author=Kenadjian, Berdj, Ph.D.|page=94|year=2006|others=Zakarian, Martin, illus.|edition=2d|publisher=Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists|isbn=978-1-933538-24-2|accessdate=2009-03-17}}</ref> | ||
Emanuel Landau, then a Project Director for the ], wrote a book review for the '']'', which noted that Griffin "accepts the 'conspiracy' theory ... that policy-makers in the medical, pharmaceutical, research and fund-raising organizations deliberately or unconsciously strive not to prevent or cure cancer in order to perpetuate their functions". Landau concludes that although ''World Without Cancer'' "is an emotional plea for the unrestricted use of the Laetrile as an anti-tumor agent, the scientific evidence to justify such a policy does not appear within it".<ref>{{cite journal|author=Landau, Emanuel, Ph.D.|title=''World without Cancer; the Story of Vitamin B<sub>17</sub>''|journal=]|volume=66|issue=7|pages=696|date=July 1976|url=http://www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/66/7/696-a.pdf|format=PDF|issn=0090-0036|accessdate=2008-03-05|doi=10.2105/AJPH.66.7.696-a}}</ref> | |||
Since the 1970s, the use of laetrile to treat cancer has been described in scientific literature as a canonical example of ], and has never been shown to be effective in the treatment or prevention of cancer.<ref name="ajcn">{{cite journal |author=Herbert V |title=Laetrile: the cult of cyanide. Promoting poison for profit |journal=Am. J. Clin. Nutr. |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=1121–58 |date=May 1979 |pmid=219680 |doi= |url=http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=219680}}</ref><ref name="Lerner1984">{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/1097-0142(19840201)53:3+<815::AID-CNCR2820531334>3.0.CO;2-U |author=Lerner IJ |title=The whys of cancer quackery |journal=Cancer |volume=53 |issue=3 Suppl |pages=815–9 |date=February 1984 |pmid=6362828 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Nightingale SL |title=Laetrile: the regulatory challenge of an unproven remedy |journal=Public Health Rep |volume=99 |issue=4 |pages=333–8 |year=1984 |pmid=6431478 |pmc=1424606 }}</ref> However, the findings in some of the most recent scientific studies reflect a much different result. Scientific evidence confirms that amygdalin dose-dependently suppresses growth and proliferation of at least 3 bladder cancer cell lines ''in vitro'', and further indicates that in order to assess amygdalin as an anti-tumor drug, an ''in vivo'' investigation should be conducted.<ref name="PLOS">{{cite journal | url=http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0105590 | title=Amygdalin Blocks Bladder Cancer Cell Growth ''In Vitro'' by Diminishing Cyclin A and cdk2 | author=Jasmina Makarević, Jochen Rutz, Eva Juengel, Silke Kaulfuss, Michael Reiter, Igor Tsaur, Georg Bartsch, Axel Haferkamp, Roman A. Blaheta | journal=PLOS ONE | year=2014 | month=August | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0105590}}</ref> Another study performed to test the effectiveness of amygdalin in the treatment of human cervical cancer concluded, "the results in the present study suggest that amygdalin may offer a new therapeutic option for patients with cervical cancer."<ref name="Chen">{{cite journal | url=http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/08923973.2012.738688 | title=Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line HeLa Cells | author=Yu Chen, Jinshu Ma, Fang Wang, Jie Hu, Ai Cui, Chengguo Wei, Qing Yang, Fan Li | journal=Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology | year=2013 | month=February | volume=35 | issue=1 | pages=43-51 | doi=10.3109/08923973.2012.738688}}</ref> A similar study found similar results for prostate cancer.<ref name="Chang">{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/29/8/29_8_1597/_article | title=Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis Through Regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 Expressions in Human DU145 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells | author=Hyun-Kyung Chang, Mal-Soon Shin, Hye-Young Yang, Jin-Woo Lee, Young-Sick Kim, Myoung-Hwa Lee, Jullia Kim, Khae-Hawn Kim, Chang-Ju Kim | journal=Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin | year=2006 | month=August | volume=29 | issue=8 | pages=1597-1602 | doi=10.1248/bpb.29.1597}}</ref> Griffin advocates for Laetrile as a natural cure whereas opponents warn of its ineffectiveness and toxicity, even though research has proven that no serious acute toxicity has been encountered with its use. The FDA ban on Laetrile is still in effect. | |||
===Cancer and AIDS denial=== | |||
⚫ | In 1974, Griffin wrote and published the book ''World Without Cancer'',<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB953678292240796576.html?mod=googlewsj|title=Laetrile Makes a Comeback Selling to Patients Online|work=]|author=Lagnado, Lucette|date=2000-03-22|accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref><ref name=mdn>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glpnews&img=\\na0023\6799503\57073949.html|title=Controversial Cancer Drug Laetrile Enters Political Realms|work=Middlesboro Daily News|date=1977-08-10|accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref> and released it as a documentary video; its second edition appeared in 1997, and it was translated into ], 1988, and ], 2005. |
||
Griffin's websites refer visitors to doctors, clinics, and hospitals with ]s,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Cure Research Foundation|url=http://www.cancure.org/10-list-of-clinics-in-the-united-states-offering-alternative-therapies/71-directory-of-clinics|title=Directory of Clinics|date=|accessdate=}}{{Self-published source|date=August 2014}}</ref> including sellers of laetrile.<ref name=wsj/><ref name=wwub>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glpnews&img=\\na0020\2569675\14249347.html|title=Cure or fraud?|work=]|date=1976-10-11|accessdate=2008-02-29|author=Jones, Marianna}}</ref> He does not sell laetrile himself.<ref name=wsj/> | Griffin's websites refer visitors to doctors, clinics, and hospitals with ]s,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Cure Research Foundation|url=http://www.cancure.org/10-list-of-clinics-in-the-united-states-offering-alternative-therapies/71-directory-of-clinics|title=Directory of Clinics|date=|accessdate=}}{{Self-published source|date=August 2014}}</ref> including sellers of laetrile.<ref name=wsj/><ref name=wwub>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glpnews&img=\\na0020\2569675\14249347.html|title=Cure or fraud?|work=]|date=1976-10-11|accessdate=2008-02-29|author=Jones, Marianna}}</ref> He does not sell laetrile himself.<ref name=wsj/> |
Revision as of 18:54, 10 December 2014
For other people named Edward Griffin (disambiguation)|Edward Griffin, see Edward Griffin (disambiguation).G. Edward Griffin | |
---|---|
Born | (1931-11-07) November 7, 1931 (age 93) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Education | University of Michigan BA in speech and communications |
Occupation(s) | Documentary film producer, writer, lecturer |
Known for | Conspiracy theories |
Website | www |
G. Edward Griffin (born November 7, 1931) is an American author, documentary filmmaker, editor, and political lecturer. His focus has centered on a diverse range of controversial topics, such as alternative medicine, politics, foreign policy, and banking. Critics have referred to him as a conspiracy theorist because of his unorthodox views on highly debated topics. The first book he authored, The Fearful Master, published in 1964, focuses on the United Nations, and what Griffin theorizes as a socialistic push for the creation of a new world government. He has since accumulated many successful titles to his credit, but perhaps the most notable is, The Creature From Jekyll Island (1994), a business best-seller that, 20 years later, is in its fifth edition. The book focuses on the Federal Reserve System which has long been embroiled in controversy because of its influence on the American economy. Prior to writing the book, Griffin attended the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, and in 1989, he received designation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), an education he sought in order to acquire a better understanding of investments and money markets.
Griffin also authored, World Without Cancer (1974), which was inspired by information he received on a fishing trip with John Richardson, a physician from San Francisco, who claimed success treating his cancer patients with Laetrile, a highly debated alternative treatment for cancer that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Laetrile is a chemically modified form of vitamin B17 (amygdalin), a plant compound that produces cyanide, and is found in the pits of apricots and many other fruits and raw nuts, as well as in lima beans, clover, and sorghum. Laetrile is sometimes referred to as amygdalin, although the two are not the same. There are also modified, or fake versions of laetrile believed to be from Mexico that are being sold on the black market. Laetrile was patented in 1953 by biochemist, Ernst T. Krebs, who was quoted as saying, "I know Laetrile is the anti-cancer, antineoplastic vitamin and I want it put to the test." Several tests have been conducted over the years, most of which were either inconclusive or they determined Laetrile to be ineffective in the treatment of cancer. Proponents of orthodox medicine consider its use quackery. However, recent scientific research and the results of various laboratory tests using different types of human cancer cells indicate amygdalin to be successful as an anticancer substance.
Early life and education
Griffin was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 7, 1931, and became a child actor on local radio in 1942. By 1947, he was emceeing at WJR (CBS), and continued as announcer at WUOM and station manager at WWJ-TV (NBC), 1950–1955. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1953, majoring in speech and communications. Griffin served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Political advocacy
By 1964, Griffin had completed his first book, The Fearful Master, on the United Nations, a challenging topic that recurs throughout his writings. When George Wallace ran for President of the United States in the election of 1968, winning five states for the segregationist American Independent Party, Griffin served as a writer for Wallace's vice presidential candidate, Curtis LeMay, a retired General of the Air Force. In the next year, Griffin began producing political films for American Media of Los Angeles (later moving to Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, California), of which he is president. While he describes his work as the output of "a plain vanilla researcher", Griffin also agrees with the Los Angeles Daily News characterizing him as "Crusader Rabbit".
Griffin has been a member and officer of the John Birch Society for much of his life and a contributing editor to its magazine, The New American. Since the 1960s, Griffin has spoken and written at length about the Society's theory of history involving "communist and capitalist conspiracies" over banking systems (including the Federal Reserve System), American foreign policy, the Supreme Court of the United States, and the United Nations. From 1962 to 1975, he completed nine books and seven film productions; his 1969 video lecture, More Deadly Than War: The Communist Revolution in America, was printed in English and Dutch. In 1974, he published World Without Cancer, and in 1975, he wrote a sympathetic biography of Society founder Robert W. Welch, which was well received by members of the organization. Six of his documentaries from the early period were re-released in 2001 as Hidden Agenda: Real Conspiracies that Affect our Lives Today.
In 2002, Griffin founded Freedom Force International. whose members state that they value individual freedom above government power. The organization's position that the exclusive role of government is to protect people's rights and property, not to provide services like welfare, reflects Griffin's view that collectivism and freedom "are mortal enemies." One of the organization's stated goals is to elect people with such views to government offices and onto the boards of nonprofit organizations – true to its motto, "Don't fight city hall when you can be city hall."
The Creature from Jekyll Island
Griffin presented his views on the U.S. money system in his 1993 movie and 1994 book on the Federal Reserve System, The Creature from Jekyll Island. This popular book has been a business bestseller; it has been reprinted in Japanese, 2005, and German, 2006. The book also influenced Ron Paul during the writing of a chapter on money and the Federal Reserve in Paul's New York Times number-one bestseller, The Revolution: A Manifesto, which recommended Griffin's book on its "Reading List for a Free and Prosperous America".
The title refers to the November 1910 meeting at Jekyll Island, Georgia, of six bankers and economic policymakers, who represented the financial elite of the Western world. The meeting was recounted by Forbes founder B. C. Forbes in 1916, and recalled by participant Frank Vanderlip as "the actual conception of what eventually became the Federal Reserve System". Griffin states that participant Paul Warburg describes the Jekyll Island meeting as "this most interesting conference concerning which Senator Aldrich pledged all participants to secrecy".
Edward Flaherty, an academic economist, characterized Griffin's description of the secret meeting on Jekyll Island as "conspiratorial", "amateurish", and "suspect". Griffin's response was that Flaherty had miscategorized the book with other publications and had labeled all criticisms of the Federal Reserve as the results of conspiracy theory.
Griffin's arguments in favor of a free-market, private-money system inspired Bernard von NotHaus to develop such a system in 1998. Griffin states that von NotHaus's private silver certificates, known as Liberty Dollars, are "real money".
World Without Cancer
In 1974, Griffin wrote and published the book World Without Cancer, and released it as a documentary video; its second edition appeared in 1997, and it was translated into Afrikaans, 1988, and German, 2005. Griffin is of the opinion "that cancer is a deficiency disease — like scurvy or pellagra - aggravated by the lack of an essential food compound in modern man's diet." Griffin has reason to believe that compound is vitamin B17 (amygdalin), a natural cyanogenic diglucoside that is present in many fruits and plants belonging to the Rosaceae family such as apricots, peaches, and bitter almond. He contends that "eliminating cancer through a nondrug therapy has not been accepted because of the hidden economic and power agendas of those who dominate the medical establishment" and he wrote, "at the very top of the world's economic and political pyramid of power there is a grouping of financial, political, and industrial interests that, by the very nature of their goals, are the natural enemies of the nutritional approaches to health".
Emanuel Landau, then a Project Director for the APHA, wrote a book review for the American Journal of Public Health, which noted that Griffin "accepts the 'conspiracy' theory ... that policy-makers in the medical, pharmaceutical, research and fund-raising organizations deliberately or unconsciously strive not to prevent or cure cancer in order to perpetuate their functions". Landau concludes that although World Without Cancer "is an emotional plea for the unrestricted use of the Laetrile as an anti-tumor agent, the scientific evidence to justify such a policy does not appear within it".
Since the 1970s, the use of laetrile to treat cancer has been described in scientific literature as a canonical example of quackery, and has never been shown to be effective in the treatment or prevention of cancer. However, the findings in some of the most recent scientific studies reflect a much different result. Scientific evidence confirms that amygdalin dose-dependently suppresses growth and proliferation of at least 3 bladder cancer cell lines in vitro, and further indicates that in order to assess amygdalin as an anti-tumor drug, an in vivo investigation should be conducted. Another study performed to test the effectiveness of amygdalin in the treatment of human cervical cancer concluded, "the results in the present study suggest that amygdalin may offer a new therapeutic option for patients with cervical cancer." A similar study found similar results for prostate cancer. Griffin advocates for Laetrile as a natural cure whereas opponents warn of its ineffectiveness and toxicity, even though research has proven that no serious acute toxicity has been encountered with its use. The FDA ban on Laetrile is still in effect.
Griffin's websites refer visitors to doctors, clinics, and hospitals with alternative cancer treatments, including sellers of laetrile. He does not sell laetrile himself.
Griffin founded The Cancer Cure Foundation "in December of 1976 as a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education in alternative cancer therapies". The foundation expanded its mission in March, 2002 to include disseminating information about other medical conditions, and it changed its name to The Cure Research Foundation. In 2010, Griffin engaged in AIDS Denialism, claiming that HIV "doesn't exist" and that anti-retro-viral medication (rather than HIV) cause AIDS.
Noah's Ark search
Also during this time, Griffin wrote and narrated the 1992 documentary The Discovery of Noah's Ark, based on U.S. Merchant Marine officer David Fasold's 1988 book, The Ark of Noah. Griffin's film said that the original Noah's Ark continued to exist in fossil form at the Durupınar site, about 17 miles (27 km) from Mount Ararat in Turkey, based on photographic, radar, and metal detector evidence. Griffin also narrated that towns in the area had names that resembled terms from the Biblical story of the flood. He presented a viewpoint that the flood might have been the action of massive tides caused by a gravitational interaction between Earth and a large celestial body coming close to it.
Popular Mechanics stated Fasold had described his research as "radar imagery ... so clear that Fasold could count the floorboards between the walls"; Griffin has continued to promote this view, as did Fasold's co-researcher Ron Wyatt and Wyatt Archeological Research. Creationists Andrew Snelling and John D. Morris prefer a near-Ararat site; Snelling supports geologist Tom Fenner's view that "a great deal of effort was put into repeating the radar measurements acquired in 1986 by Wyatt and Fasold ... After numerous attempts over a period of one and a half days were unable to duplicate their radar records in any way." Fasold himself revisited the site evidence with geologists Ian Plimer and Lorence Collins and came to doubt his initial position, saying, "I think we have found what the ancients said was the Ark, but this structure is not Noah's Ark."
Bibliography
- (1964). The Fearful Master: A Second Look at the United Nations. Boston, MA: Western Islands Publishers. ISBN 0-88279-102-8. OCLC 414277.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - (1968). The Grand Design: A Lecture on U.S. Foreign Policy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Grand Design. OCLC 6207421.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - (1968). The Great Prison Break: The Supreme Court Leads the Way. Boston, MA: Western Islands Publishers. OCLC 220369.
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: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - (1968). A Memorandum on Supreme Court Decisions: Summaries of Key Decisions of the United States Supreme Court as Related to the Impeachment of the Chief Justice. Belmont, MA. OCLC 432181.
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: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - (1969). More Deadly Than War: The Communist Revolution in America. American Media.
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(help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - (1970). This is the John Birch Society: An Invitation to Membership (1st ed., 2d ed. 1972, 3d ed. 1981 Western Islands ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: American Media. OCLC 83825.
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- (1971). The Capitalist Conspiracy: An Inside View of International Banking (1st ed., 2d ed. 1982 Huntington Beach Patriots ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: American Media. OCLC 3263688.
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(help); External link in
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- (1974). World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17 (1st ed., reprinted 1976, 1977, 2d ed. 1997, reprinted 2001, 2006 ed.). American Media. ISBN 0-912986-09-3.
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- (1975). The Life and Words of Robert Welch, Founder of the John Birch Society. E. Merrill Root (introduction). Thousand Oaks, CA: American Media. ISBN 978-0-912986-07-4. OCLC 1530499.
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: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements, ed. (1986). Ephemeral Materials, 1976–1986. Westlake Village, CA: Americans for Medical Freedom. OCLC 18761098.
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requires|url=
(help) - (1994). The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve (1st ed., 2d ed. 1995, 3d ed. 1998 American Media, 4th ed. 2002, now in 6th ed.). Appleton, WI: American Opinion Publishing. ISBN 0-912986-16-6. OCLC 31354943.
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- (1997). Private Papers Pertaining to Laetrile. Westlake Village, CA: American Media. ISBN 978-0-912986-20-3. OCLC 61633861.
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: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
Filmography
- The Grand Design: A Lecture on U.S. Foreign Policy. 1968.
- More Deadly Than War: The Communist Revolution in America. American Media. 1969. OCLC 5549058.
{{cite AV media}}
:|format=
requires|url=
(help) - World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17 (Visual material). American Media. 1974. OCLC 5604983.
- Bezmenov, Yuri; Griffin, G. Edward (1984). Soviet Subversion of the Free Press: A Conversation with Yuri Bezmenov (Videotape). Westlake Village, CA: American Media. OCLC 45810551.
- Griffin, G. Edward; Solis, Willy (1985). The Red Reality in Central America (Videotape). Westlake Village, CA: American Media. OCLC 37023488.
- The Discovery of Noah's Ark: The Whole Story (Videotape). Westlake Village, CA: American Media. 1992. OCLC 29511807.
- Griffin, G. Edward; Shurtleff, Howard (1994). The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve (Videotape). John Birch Society. OCLC 36245861.
- Hidden Agenda: Real Conspiracies that Affect our Lives Today. Venice, CA: Knowledge 20/20. 2001. OCLC 49289908.
{{cite AV media}}
:|format=
requires|url=
(help)- Vol. 1 (1971). The Capitalist Conspiracy: An Inside View of International Banking (Documentary). American Media. OCLC 5558340.
- Vol. 2 (1983). The Subversion Factor: A History of Treason in Modern America (Part 1: Moles in High Places, Part 2: Open Gates of Troy) (Videotape). Westlake Village, CA: American Media. OCLC 36968013.
- Vol. 3 (1968). The Truth About Communism: Only the Brave are Free (Videotape).
- Vol. 4 (1966). Anarchy U.S.A.: In the Name of Civil Rights (DVD, Documentary). John Birch Society.
- Vol. 5 (1962). Katanga: The Untold Story (Videotape).
- Vol. 6. WBTV (1982). No Place to Hide: The Strategy and Tactics of Terrorism (Videotape). Alexandria, VA: Western Goals Foundation. OCLC 10744020. Also OCLC 19993388.
- UFO-TV (distributor) (2004). The Discovery of Noah's Ark: The Whole Story (DVD). Venice, CA: Knowledge 20/20. OCLC 59007573.
- Griffin, G. Edward (executive producer); Dill, David; Gazecki, William; Harris, Bev; Mercuri, Rebecca; Rubin, Aviel D (2004). Invisible Ballots: A Temptation for Electronic Vote Fraud (Videotape, DVD). Westlake Village, CA: American Media and Reality Zone. ISBN 978-0-912986-43-2. OCLC 65199460. Also OCLC 56844390.
- Jaeger, James; Baehr, Theodore; Griffin, G. Edward; Paul, Ron; Vieira, Edwin (2007). Fiat Empire: Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution (DVD). Beverly Hills, CA; a James Jaeger Film: Cornerstone-Matrixx Entertainment. OCLC 192133806.
- Jaeger, James; Baehr, Theodore; Buchanan, Patrick; Griffin, G. Edward; Paul, Ron; Vieira, Edwin. (2007). Original Intent: How Negative Influences are Undermining the U.S. Republic. . Beverly Hills, CA: Cornerstone-Matrixx Entertainment; a James Jaeger Film.
- Jaeger, James; Baehr, Theodore; Buchanan, Patrick; Griffin, G. Edward; Paul, Ron; Vieira, Edwin. (2007). Cultural Marxism: The Corruption of America. . Beverly Hills, CA: Cornerstone-Matrixx Entertainment; a James Jaeger Film.
- Jaeger, James; Baehr, Theodore; Buchanan, Patrick; Griffin, G. Edward; Paul, Ron; Vieira, Edwin. (2007). Corporate Fascism: The Destruction of America's Middle Class. . Beverly Hills, CA: Matrixx Productions; a James Jaeger Film.
- Jaeger, James; Buchanan, Patrick; Griffin, G. Edward; Lillback, Peter; McManus, John; Paul, Ron; Vieira, Edwin. (2007). Spoiler: How a Third Political Party Could Win. . Beverly Hills, CA: Matrixx Productions; a James Jaeger Film.
- What in the World Are They Spraying? The Chemtrail/Geo-Engineering Coverup. Produced by G. Edward Griffin, Michael Murphy, and Paul Wittenberger. (2010). DVD.
References
- Jane W. D'Arista (1994). The Evolution of U.S. Finance: Restructuring Institutions and Markets. M.E. Sharpe. p. 253. ISBN 9781563242311.
- Chris Waltzek (June 6, 2010). "G. Edward Griffin, Author of The Creature From Jekyll Island". Radio Interview With G. Edward Griffin. Gold Seek LLC. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- Alexis Black (November 3, 2005). "World Without Cancer Author G. Edward Griffin Exposes How Corrupt Politics Prevent Real Cancer Cures From Reaching The Public". Natural News & Self Reliance. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- Trux, Jon (1976). "New Controversy Surrounds Black Market Cancer Drug". New Scientist. 7 (1009): 132.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - Tom Murphy (January 24, 1981). "Laetrile Patent Owner Fights to Advance Drug". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. Associated Press. pp. 12A. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Yu Chen, Jinshu Ma, Fang Wang, Jie Hu, Ai Cui, Chengguo Wei, Qing Yang, Fan Li (2013). "Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line HeLa Cells". Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology. 35 (1): 43–51. doi:10.3109/08923973.2012.738688.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Speaker Bio – G. Edward Griffin". Chicago Resource Expo. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Who's Who in America 1994 (48th ed.). Marquis Who's Who. December 1993.
- "G. Edward Griffin". Ron Paul 2008. 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ^ "T.O.'s Griffin All Booked Up With Writing, Film Projects". Daily News of Los Angeles. 1995-05-22. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ Sayre, Nora (1996). Sixties Going on Seventies. Rutgers University Press. p. 98. ISBN 0-8135-2193-9.
- Aune, James Arnt (2001). Selling the Free Market: The Rhetoric of Economic Correctness. Guilford Press. pp. 140–1. ISBN 1-57230-757-9.
- Steele, Karen Dorn; Morlin, Bill (2000-09-02). "Get-rich pitch 'bogus': Seven states have determined Global Prosperity is an illegal pyramid scheme". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Stone, Barbara S. (February 1974). "The John Birch Society: A Profile". The Journal of Politics. 36 (1): 184–197. doi:10.2307/2129115. JSTOR 2129115.
- "Dirty Deeds: The Dorean Group promised hundreds of homeowners that their mortgages would go away. Guess what? They didn't". East Bay Express. 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
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missing|last=
(help) - Bourgoin, Suzanne Michele; Byers, Paula K. (1998). Encyclopedia of World Biography. Gale. ISBN 0-7876-2556-6.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Thornton, James (1993-12-13). "Remembering Robert Welch". John Birch Society. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- "Fiat Empire: Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution". Matrixx Productions. 2006-12-05. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- Gavin, Robert (2004-11-28). "The man who shaped the Federal Reserve". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- USA Daily Staff (2007-08-22). "Paul Out to Slay The Creature from Jekyll Island". USA Daily. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - "Bestselling business books". Calgary Herald. 2006-07-04. p. F5.
- "Best-selling business books, April 14". Rocky Mountain News. 2007-04-14. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- Paul, Ron (2007-04-30). The Revolution: A Manifesto. New York City, NY: Grand Central Publishing. pp. 169–70. ISBN 0-446-53751-9.
- Forbes, B. C. (1916-10-19). "Men Who Are Making America". Leslie's Weekly. p. 423.
I am giving to the world, for the first time, the real story of how the famous Aldrich currency report, the foundation of our new currency system, was written.
- Vanderlip, Frank A. (1933-02-09). "From Farm Boy to Financier". Saturday Evening Post. pp. 25, 70. Also Vanderlip, Frank A. (1935). From Farm Boy to Financier. New York City, New York: Appleton-Century Company. pp. 210–219. In Gurumurthy, S. (2007-12-28). "US Fed: an enigma wrapped in mystery". Business Line. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- Warburg, Paul (1930). The Federal Reserve System: Its Origin and Growth. Vol. I. New York City, New York: Macmillan Publishers. p. 58.
- ERS Group (2005). "Professional Staff". Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- Flaherty, Edward. "Debunking the Federal Reserve Conspiracy Theories". Retrieved 2008-05-10.
- Griffin, G. Edward (2004). "Meet Edward Flaherty, Conspiracy Poo-Pooist". Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- Chevreau, Jonathan (1999-11-11). "Paper notes need 'real' backing". National Post.
- ^ Lagnado, Lucette (2000-03-22). "Laetrile Makes a Comeback Selling to Patients Online". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- "Controversial Cancer Drug Laetrile Enters Political Realms". Middlesboro Daily News. 1977-08-10. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- G. Edward Griffin (April 2001). World Without Cancer — The Story of Vitamin B17 - Second Edition (PDF). U.S.: American Media. ISBN 0-912986-19-0.
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: CS1 maint: year (link) - "New Library Books". Books. Grand Forks Herald. 2003-07-13. p. 4. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- Kenadjian, Berdj, Ph.D. (2006). From Darkness to Light. Zakarian, Martin, illus. (2d ed.). Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-933538-24-2. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Landau, Emanuel, Ph.D. (July 1976). "World without Cancer; the Story of Vitamin B17" (PDF). American Journal of Public Health. 66 (7): 696. doi:10.2105/AJPH.66.7.696-a. ISSN 0090-0036. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Herbert V (May 1979). "Laetrile: the cult of cyanide. Promoting poison for profit". Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 32 (5): 1121–58. PMID 219680.
- Lerner IJ (February 1984). "The whys of cancer quackery". Cancer. 53 (3 Suppl): 815–9. doi:10.1002/1097-0142(19840201)53:3+<815::AID-CNCR2820531334>3.0.CO;2-U. PMID 6362828.
- Nightingale SL (1984). "Laetrile: the regulatory challenge of an unproven remedy". Public Health Rep. 99 (4): 333–8. PMC 1424606. PMID 6431478.
- Jasmina Makarević, Jochen Rutz, Eva Juengel, Silke Kaulfuss, Michael Reiter, Igor Tsaur, Georg Bartsch, Axel Haferkamp, Roman A. Blaheta (2014). "Amygdalin Blocks Bladder Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro by Diminishing Cyclin A and cdk2". PLOS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105590.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - Hyun-Kyung Chang, Mal-Soon Shin, Hye-Young Yang, Jin-Woo Lee, Young-Sick Kim, Myoung-Hwa Lee, Jullia Kim, Khae-Hawn Kim, Chang-Ju Kim (2006). "Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis Through Regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 Expressions in Human DU145 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells". Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 29 (8): 1597–1602. doi:10.1248/bpb.29.1597.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Directory of Clinics". Cure Research Foundation.
- Jones, Marianna (1976-10-11). "Cure or fraud?". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- The Cancer Cure Foundation.
- Easter, Sean (March 26, 2011). "Who is G. Edward Griffin, Beck's Expert on The Federal Reserve"? Media Matters for America.
- "The Discovery of Noah's Ark". Reality Zone. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- Fillon, Mike (December 1996). "Science Solves Ancient Mysteries of the Bible". Popular Mechanics. p. 40.
- Wyatt, Ron (1989). Discovered: Noah's Ark. Nashville, TN: World Bible Society. pp. 7–8, 12.
- Snelling, Andrew (September 1992). "Special report: Amazing 'Ark' exposé". Creation Ex Nihilo. 14 (4): 30.
- Morris, John (September 1990). "That boat-shaped rock ... is it Noah's Ark?". Creation Ex Nihilo. 12 (4): 18.
- Collins, Lorence D.; Fasold, David (1996). "Bogus 'Noah's Ark' from Turkey Exposed as a Common Geologic Structure". Journal of Geoscience Education. 44 (4): 439–444.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Pockley, Peter (1994-11-06). "Theory blown out of the water". Australian Sun-Herald.
- Clifton, Brad (1997-04-09). "Doubts sank faith in Ark". The Daily Telegraph (Australia).
External links
- www.realityzone.com – Reality Zone
- G. Edward Griffin at IMDb
- Freedom Force International
- 1931 births
- American anti-communists
- American documentary filmmakers
- American economics writers
- American film producers
- American political writers
- Conspiracy theorists
- John Birch Society
- Living people
- Writers from Detroit, Michigan
- University of Michigan alumni
- American male child actors
- Male actors from Detroit, Michigan
- John Birch Society members