treatment ineffective for "female samples"

There's been lots of interesting debate lately on the stigma around mental illness, and the horrible associations the general public have with mental illness and violence...... I have strong views, but they have already been elegantly put by others.
However, reading around the debate I came across one short sentence in an article which really shocked me. In a supposedly clinical level discussion of medication, just one sentence referred oh so briefly to the fact that this whole theory didn't work for "female samples". OK, this is a wikipedia entry, not exactly the guiding light of accurate scientific research, but it reminded me of a terrifying fact. Medical processes and drugs are often not tested on women, (and the elderly, and the mentally ill........), who constitute over half the population... nor  are they tested on children, and many mental health drugs are now given with horrifying frequency to children........
I'm only a humble bird, but how the hell does this constitute good scientific practice?

In Search of Inspiration

Narrating the current saga at Bird Manor, I have often felt lonely in my battle, and negativity may abound, so I would like to share some things that have given me inspiration today:
http://www.guerrillagirls.com/
always creative, positive and inspiring throughout my life
http://ukfeminista.org.uk/
a new vibrant voice
Thankyou to all of you who make and create

A note on Privacy

This Bird has a phenomenal emotional and moral maze to negotiate. The primary directive, as Captain Janeway would so rightly remind me, is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, those too young or vulnerable to protect themselves, who rely on my protection. This Bird has many other obligations: to protect those who may be harmed, emotionally, physically or otherwise. I have an obligation towards those I may unintentionally slander because I do not understand them, and to those I love and cherish, but risk betraying their trust, to those that may be subjected to consequences of the things I write over the coming weeks. This Bird also has other obligations: to every victim of domestic violence and bullying, to every victim of police incompetence, to all who suffer unnecessarily at the hands of an ignorant authority, ............ if I do not speak I WILL HAVE LET YOU DOWN! I will do my utmost to live up to these obligations, and offer my abject apologies should I fail. I ask of you, dear Reader, to forgive me my mistakes and respect the privacy of those involved should I fail to protect them.

part III: The Trial

It's been a long time, hasn't it. After over two years of abuse and harassment, living in constant apprehension, limiting our lives and that of our child because we can't go anywhere we may bump into the gentleman known as Squish-head**, the case is finally going to court: without our prior knowledge or consent. Information received is mainly from a friend of ours who has been called as a witness. Victim support for one partner is non-existent, the other has still not even been acknowledged as a victim despite losing home, job and all self-esteem through the actions of this man. At the moment, I'm sharing my problems with a bottle of port, but soon I hope to be able to elucidate with at least some of my usual wit, and the driest of humour. Chin-chin!
** for those who are not initiated in the wonderful therapy of Squish, check out Kids In The Hall.
a vital tool for anti-capitalists, feminists, and all those who seek to bring to an end the stupidity of those who wield power over others.