Politicization

SwineCast 0516 Show Notes:

• The Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production Report is often referenced as a primer on the direction U.S. agriculture needs to move. However, a recent review of the report by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Federation of Animal Science Societies identified some weaknesses in the methodology used.  Joining us today and representing the Federation of Animal Science Societies are Science Policy Director Lowell Randel and Chair of the Animal Care Committee Janice Swanson.

I am sure there are some true believers really hitting the ceiling today after the release of the meta-study published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition entitled "Nutritional Quality of Organic Foods: A Systematic Review".  This journal is certainly not "in the pocket" of major agri-business interest nor is the institute which conducted the analysis: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  

Here is the money quote: “On the basis of a systematic review of studies of satisfactory quality, there is no evidence of a difference in nutrient quality between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs. The small differences in nutrient content detected are biologically plausible and mostly relate to differences in production methods.”

     In case you haven't been paying attention, food safety has been getting a wider definition than some bugs in and around your grocery basket.  In the past, food safety has primarily been about making sure the food products which reach the consumer are fresh and free from any disease causing pathogens or terrorist surprise packages.

     In the latest version of mission creep, a recent report by the American Institute on Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/downloads/Second_Expert_Report.pdf claims that the new public health goal for the world should be the weekly consumption of no more than 11 ounces of red meats (in case you don't have your calculator handy, thats a little over 1.5 ounces per day).  Eating more than this will increase your chances of cancer (especially colorectal) according to this study of other studies.

To get an idea of what politicization is, consider the following: During the last national election in 2006, the state of Missouri had a special ballot initiative proposing to change the state's constitution regarding the limits of stem cell research and cloning. During the run up to the election, Michael J. Fox made commercials urging Missourians to vote for the initiative even though he admitted to having not even read it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cAWV821C-Q) He did so because it is believed by some that cures for diseases like Parkinson's Disease (which afflicts Michael J. Fox) may someday be effected through stem cell research. Mr. Fox appeared in the commercial exhibiting obvious symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In addition, while advocating approval of the stem cell initiative, he also urged Missourians to vote for the Democrat Senatorial candidate. In fairness, nationally and locally famous celebrities made a counter commercial opposing the measure but did not endorse a political candidate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguJQ_dRPXw).