If you were to take a quick glance at the periodic table of elements, could you point out which elements are toxic to humans? The quick answer is, they all are, and so are their compounds. What actually matters is the dosage at which they become toxic. Anybody who tells you different are either misinformed, or trying to sell you something. It's generally the latter of the two which claim something to be toxic, without providing the required dosage. Usually it's because they don't know and are just repeating what they heard someone else say. Or, in some rare cases, are just pulling that information out of their ass in hopes to sway consumers from purchasing a specific product.
A common misconception is that all compounds which contain the same element, have the same toxicity. This is completely false. Sometimes having an extra oxygen, hydrogen or carbon atom can greatly change a compound's toxicity. Or, whether or not that compound bioaccumulates. This is something which is rigorously tested, especially in the field of medicine. Every year as scientists attempt to create new medications, they also need to make sure that those medications don't kill the patient. Either instantly or over a longer time-scale. There are known adverse effects of certain medications, but they are greatly outweighed by the benefits.
The next time someone tells you something is toxic, ask them at which dose. If they don't know, look it up. Look it up anyway, just in case they are mistaken. You can find the toxicity levels in grams or micrograms per pound of body weight for almost every element and known compound online, and in some medical and chemistry textbooks. Base your decisions on that information. Granted there are some elements which are generally understood to be toxic to humans, but I don't think they really apply here. Unless you live under a rock or happen to be six years old, you probably know arsenic is toxic to humans. If that is the case, you probably aren't reading my blog anyway.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Saturday, December 6, 2014
If GMOs are so safe, why not label them?
This is one of the most common talking points presented by anti-GMO proponents, so I think it's something that's definitely worth covering. This topic has been covered by many publications, but I want to voice my own opinion on the matter. Well, it's not really as much an opinion as it is a position based upon the current evidence available.
Other sources have stated time and time again that labeling GMOs would be a pointless endeavor. Not only is it pointless, but it strengthens the misnomer that GMOs are somehow inherently dangerous. This notion is falsified by the evidence, but those who oppose the technology still believe it to be true for some reason. One of the main reason why this belief is wrong is because technologies themselves aren't inherently good, or bad. It's what they are used for which makes them one or the other. In regard to agriculture, it's the product which the technology has produced that matters, not the technology itself. This is why blanket statements like, "GMOs cause harm" fail on their own merit. Which GMOs? All GMOs? When you look at the argument from this perspective, it's easy to see that it really makes no sense.
Now, here's my argument against GMO labeling: It would cause far more harm than good, especially when it comes to the health of the general public. It's odd to think that something as innocuous as a label on food could possibly increase the instances of certain diseases, but it can. The reason for this has to deal with the current state of our (America's) economy. Today, we have an issue with both obesity and diabetes in this country. Most of this is due to the fact that we have a large portion of our population which is sitting near or below the poverty line. Many of which are basically forced to live off of cheap, processed foods for nutrition. This is from where the obesity and diabetes stems.
What does this have to do with labels? Everything. You see, when the EU implemented their labeling policies, they started a chain reaction. The scientifically challenged public started avoiding foods which had GMOs listed as ingredients. This made manufacturers remove GMOs from the ingredients of their products. The main problem with this is, it made everyone's food spending increase by $200 - $500 a year. This is due to the fact that many GMOs are cheaper to produce than their conventional and organic counterparts. Economists predict that if the same thing were to happen in the U.S., we would see an average increase of *$400 a year in food spending, per person.
This would make healthier foods inaccessible to an even larger portion of our population. Which would mean we'd then have even more people relying on fast food or processed foods for nutrition, increasing our instances of obesity and diabetes as a result. We would also see an increase in medical spending and a reduction in general productivity. All for no good reason.
Now ask yourself, is it really worth it? Is your irrational fear worth the health of others?
*This number was based on those living in California, other States may vary.
Other sources have stated time and time again that labeling GMOs would be a pointless endeavor. Not only is it pointless, but it strengthens the misnomer that GMOs are somehow inherently dangerous. This notion is falsified by the evidence, but those who oppose the technology still believe it to be true for some reason. One of the main reason why this belief is wrong is because technologies themselves aren't inherently good, or bad. It's what they are used for which makes them one or the other. In regard to agriculture, it's the product which the technology has produced that matters, not the technology itself. This is why blanket statements like, "GMOs cause harm" fail on their own merit. Which GMOs? All GMOs? When you look at the argument from this perspective, it's easy to see that it really makes no sense.
Now, here's my argument against GMO labeling: It would cause far more harm than good, especially when it comes to the health of the general public. It's odd to think that something as innocuous as a label on food could possibly increase the instances of certain diseases, but it can. The reason for this has to deal with the current state of our (America's) economy. Today, we have an issue with both obesity and diabetes in this country. Most of this is due to the fact that we have a large portion of our population which is sitting near or below the poverty line. Many of which are basically forced to live off of cheap, processed foods for nutrition. This is from where the obesity and diabetes stems.
What does this have to do with labels? Everything. You see, when the EU implemented their labeling policies, they started a chain reaction. The scientifically challenged public started avoiding foods which had GMOs listed as ingredients. This made manufacturers remove GMOs from the ingredients of their products. The main problem with this is, it made everyone's food spending increase by $200 - $500 a year. This is due to the fact that many GMOs are cheaper to produce than their conventional and organic counterparts. Economists predict that if the same thing were to happen in the U.S., we would see an average increase of *$400 a year in food spending, per person.
This would make healthier foods inaccessible to an even larger portion of our population. Which would mean we'd then have even more people relying on fast food or processed foods for nutrition, increasing our instances of obesity and diabetes as a result. We would also see an increase in medical spending and a reduction in general productivity. All for no good reason.
Now ask yourself, is it really worth it? Is your irrational fear worth the health of others?
*This number was based on those living in California, other States may vary.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Introduction
Since this is my first entry, I thought I'd make a quick introduction to myself and my goals associated with this blog. As you can probably tell by now, my name is Jeremy and I'm a huge science and technology buff. My biggest dream is to have a populace which has a scientifically literate majority. The main reason for this, once you learn to think that way, the decisions you make in life are mostly based upon the best evidence available. This includes things like who to vote for, what car to buy, what food to eat, and which medicine to take. At the same time, it helps diminish the impact of charlatans who wish to capitalize on the fears of those who aren't true skeptics, critical thinkers or don't have any sort of background in science.
Which brings me to the other purpose of this blog. For the last several years, I (along with many others) have made it my goal to combat pseudoscience. Especially combating those who make a profit selling nonsense which could physically and/or financially hurt their followers. In some cases, they put everyone at risk with their science denial. For instance, the anti-vaccination movement compromising herd immunity.
For a long time, I remained anonymous. I created a fake name on every social media site I use. All out of fear of repercussions from those who follow this anti-scientific way of thinking. Well, not anymore. This is the real me. My real name, for the first time, online. It's both liberating and terrifying, because I don't know where this road will lead. All I know is, if others can do it, so can I.
So, this marks the beginning of a new adventure. Along this journey, I hope to contribute in some small way to the scientific education of those who do not have an extensive scientific background. At the same time, I hope to possibly learn more from those who do.
Which brings me to the other purpose of this blog. For the last several years, I (along with many others) have made it my goal to combat pseudoscience. Especially combating those who make a profit selling nonsense which could physically and/or financially hurt their followers. In some cases, they put everyone at risk with their science denial. For instance, the anti-vaccination movement compromising herd immunity.
For a long time, I remained anonymous. I created a fake name on every social media site I use. All out of fear of repercussions from those who follow this anti-scientific way of thinking. Well, not anymore. This is the real me. My real name, for the first time, online. It's both liberating and terrifying, because I don't know where this road will lead. All I know is, if others can do it, so can I.
So, this marks the beginning of a new adventure. Along this journey, I hope to contribute in some small way to the scientific education of those who do not have an extensive scientific background. At the same time, I hope to possibly learn more from those who do.
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