Cypress Systems

Cypress Systems, Inc. is a biotech company headquartered in Fresno, California and is best known for its research, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), regarding the use of selenium supplementation for the prevention of a variety of cancers.^[1] Cypress Systems, Inc. also manufactures selenium, zinc, and chromium for the nutraceutical industry.

In 1983, the now-deceased Dr. Larry C. Clark conducted a Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPC) study. This historical trial illustrated that selenium supplementation prevented a variety of cancers.^[1] Since the trial of Dr. Larry Clark, numerous studies have found similar results of selenium being an effective agent in the prevention of a variety of cancers. (See a review of the studies in Selenium#Cancer).

Cypress focuses on the prevention of cancer through selenium supplementation, and addresses related health problems through a comprehensive health stewardship program. Much research is also being conducted in the area of selenium as an intervention agent in the prevention of AIDS and heart disease.

High profile executive

The COO of Cypress is Mark Whitacre, who is the highest level executive of a Fortune 500 company in US history to turn whistleblower. He was convicted and spent 8 1/2 years in federal prison for embezzling $9.5 million. This was discovered while he was acting as an FBI informant against ADM for international price fixing schemes. Cypress' management, along with several FBI agents involved with Whitacre's case, are lobbying for a presidential pardon for Whitacre,^[2] and the head of the FBI's investigation into ADM went public calling Whitacre a national hero.

Coverage in the news media

• England, Scot (2009-10-29), "FBI declares Whitacre a national hero", Decatur WAND News 17, http://www.wandtv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4256195&h1=In%20Depth%20Coverage%3A%20Mark%20Whitacre%2C%20national%20hero%3F&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=157933&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=97691013, retrieved 2010-02-22 
• Ackerman, Ruthie (2008-03-27), "Whitacre's Star Rises Again", Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/25/whitacre-adm-cypress-face-markets-cx_ra_0325autofacescan03.html, retrieved 2010-02-22 
• Cain, Tim (2008-04-06), "Behind the inside man: Mark Whitacre, talks about 'The Informant', his time in prison and moving forward", Decatur Herald and Review, http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/04/06/news/local/1031549.txt, retrieved 2010-02-22 
• Muirhead, Sarah (2008-06-02), "Whitacre paid ultimate price", Feedstuffs Magazine: pp. 1, 42, 43 

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer pre...[JAMA. 1996] - PubMed Result
2. ^ Enewschannels.com

External links

• Cypress Systems, Inc. Official Web Site