Science News

In a scandal that?s been in the making for over a year, the elderly founder of the French breast implant manufacturer Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) is now under house-arrest on charges of violating national safety regulations. French police have been investigating 72-year-old Claude Mas since he confessed in 2011 to ordering his factory workers to hide low-grade industrial silicone from inspectors. A law enacted in 2010 prohibited the production and sale of the company?s silicone implants amid concerns that they were prone to leakage and rupturing. It now appears that PIP disregarded the law and continued to sell the implants. Investigators estimate that as many as 400,000 women in some 65 countries now have the questionable breast implants. According to an AFP report, Mr. Mas?s attorney has not yet commented on the case and stated only that: ?[Mr. Mas] is not well, he is tired and he is waiting for his doctor.? Last year Mas candidly admitted to police that he had deceived European safety inspectors for years.