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Breast Implant A federal judge in Oregon has dismissed claims by 70 women who allege that they developed medical problems after receiving silicone breast implants. The ruling is unusual because the judge required an independent panel to evaluate the scientific evidence presented by both sides -- and the panel concluded that there wasn't enough proof that the women had suffered as a direct result of the implants. Legal experts say the ruling will not only make it harder for thousands of other women win pending lawsuits against the implant makers, but it will also have far-reaching effects on other other cases based heavily on scientific evidence. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.

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Breast Implant

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Breast Implant

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A federal judge in Oregon has dismissed claims by 70 women who allege that they developed medical problems after receiving silicone breast implants. The ruling is unusual because the judge required an independent panel to evaluate the scientific evidence presented by both sides — and the panel concluded that there wasn't enough proof that the women had suffered as a direct result of the implants. Legal experts say the ruling will not only make it harder for thousands of other women win pending lawsuits against the implant makers, but it will also have far-reaching effects on other other cases based heavily on scientific evidence. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.