Weather report: Adverse weather has ruined 25 percent or more of the 1997 tobacco crop (50 million pounds). "Tobacco fell victim to a peculiar growing season that included either too much rain or too little rain or a curing season that was too dry, too wet or sub-freezing." For some, no tears for tobacco but what if it was food? Also the farmers are real people with losses of $95 million.
Betsy Wright, longtime Clinton aide, recently spoke out about lack of respect between people of different opinions. "A line has been drawn in the sand" that creates politics of hatred and intolerance. We can keep our own beliefs yet "give people with opposing views the respect they deserve." She recommends that we love our enemies even if for no other reason than it drives them nuts.
Scientists are now cloning cows that are "genetically customized" to produce medicines for humans in their milk—living pharmaceutical factories or "pharming." Cloned sheep Molly and Polly also contained introduced human genes. Did anyone consult these animals? Or Nature?
Oprah Winfrey's "mad cow" trial is really the first test of the "veggie-libel" or food disparagement laws which have been enacted in thirteen states. This is a first amendment or "free speech" issue and, to some, these laws pose a threat to public health, food safety, free speech, open debate and the public's right-to-know.
Irradiation of beef was approved by the FDA in December 1997. "Low dosages"(millions of times that of a typical chest x-ray) were declared to kill "most—but not all—bacteria." (AP)
Some history: The Atomic Energy Commission began promoting food irradiation in the 1950's. Unfortunately, the dosage of radiation needed to sterilize food also created unpleasant, unfamiliar and dangerous degradation products. In the late 1960's the Army produced irradiated ham for frontline troops but was halted by the FDA in 1968 because of safety considerations. In 1986 the FDA approved irradiation of spices, pork, fruits and vegetables amid much controversy. Despite government efforts the irradiated food industry has faltered due to public disinterest.
Originally using cobalt-60 for food irradiation, the government is now urging use of cesium-137. Creating a demand for cesium-137 would require reprocessing of nuclear waste (instead of permanent ground burial,) allow extraction of plutonium at the same time and shift responsibility for much nuclear waste from the federal government to the states.
Some critics contend that because of global warming we face the choice between nuclear energy or solar energy. Nuclear is centralized and politically controllable; solar is decentralized, so politically uncontrollable. The public's "distaste" for radiation is the barrier against nuclear power. How better to lessen public resistance to nuclear energy than to feed people irradiated foods'? (Rachel's Environmental & Health Weekly)
The cover of USA Weekend, January 1998: Should You Eat Irradiated Meat? The article titled "Get ready for irradiated meat" states 77% of Americans polled won’t eat irradiated food. A consumer researcher says that may change once Americans "perceive its safety benefits." Radiation is said to kill bacteria by disrupting DNA "but leaves no residue harmful to humans." (?) Irradiation gives raw meat a darker color and "off odor," both undetectable after cooking. Sen. Lugar, R-Ind. says. "We've approved of irradiated food but almost no one is using it. The breakthrough is red meat." One medical school report is cited that notes animals fed irradiated food lost weight and had miscarriages. Irradiation was also noted to damage food's vitamin content. "With irradiation, we're trading a problem today, E. Coli, for a potentially greater problem down the road," says one critic.
The recent E. Coli scare and resulting government recall of millions of pounds of ground beef (and approval of irradiation) is a result of the modern system of mass food production and distribution. Processing at huge food factories and widespread distribution contribute to large outbreaks of food borne disease. In 1994, 224,000 people were sickened by salmonella when tanker trucks carried ice cream after carrying liquid (raw) eggs. Crowded large-scale livestock operations also contribute to bacteria problems. (AP)
Ozone is "the most effective anti-microbial agent on the face of the earth" according to the president of a company seeking approval from the USDA for commercial ozone treatment of meat, poultry and produce. Unlike disinfectants which poison microorganisms, ozone eats through cell walls or membranes by reacting with carbon bonds. Ozone does not react with the food or leave any residue and the water that carries it can be reused. Ozone kills 3,123 times faster than chlorine and bacteria cannot become resistant to it. The president of a company that produces chickens naturally says many people are wary of radiation and chemicals in food processing. They want clean food products because "they have kids just like I do and they're very concerned about what they feed their family." (AP)