Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 08:47:02 EDT

.c The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Silicone breast implants do not cause major illnesses, an independent panel of scientists convened by the Institute of Medicine has determined, The New York Times reported today.

``Some women with breast implants are indeed very ill, and the IOM committee is very sympathetic to their distress,'' wrote the group of 13 scientists in a report to be released Tuesday. ``However, it can find no evidence that these women are ill because of their implants.''

The primary safety concern with implants is their tendency to burst or deflate and lead to infections or hardening or scarring of breast tissue, the 400-page report says. There is no reason to believe implants cause rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or any other systemic disease, it says.

The IOM report is the latest evaluation to conclude that there is no scientific evidence supporting the liability lawsuits of women who claim breast implants made them sick. It could encourage women to accept settlements from implant makers instead of taking their cases to court, the Times said.

Earlier this month, thousands of women who claim silicone breast implants made them ill or want the implants removed overwhelmingly approved a $3.2 billion settlement with Dow Corning Corp., once the largest maker of the implants.

The IOM is part of the nation's most prestigious scientific organization, the National Academy of Sciences. Members of the committee were prohibited from discussing the report until it is officially made public, The Times said.

The panel relied primarily on research done by scientists and submitted by implant companies and women with implants, but it did not conduct original research.

``They have not convinced me that their review is correct,'' said Sybil Goldrich of Command Trust Network, an advocate for women with silicone breast implant problems.

About 1.5 million to 1.8 million American women have had silicone breast implants for enlargement or reconstruction after mastectomy.

AP-NY-06-21-99 0646EDT