Nicholas Kristof's article on a new report released by the President's Cancer Panel is worth reading if you have the time. Hell, you should read it even if you don't.
Kristof writes about a huge report that the President's Cancer Panel has put forth on, well, cancer. Interesting in this situation is that the President's Cancer Panel, which is completely in the mainstream (read: not a bunch of crazy liberals) is aligning itself with the organic food movement and recommending that Americans be more conscientious about the amount of chemicals we put into our bodies every day.
Here's a particularly terrifying (but also inspiring) snippet:
Some 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, and they include Democrats and Republicans alike. Protecting ourselves and our children from toxins should be an effort that both parties can get behind — if enough members of Congress are willing to put the public interest ahead of corporate interests.
Will this change anything? My cynical money is on "no." But it's great to see this kind of argument being made by an organization that might have more credibility within Congress than some of the smaller groups that have been lobbying for years to make changes to the nation's approach to chemical regulation.
May 07, 2010
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I think it's great that organics are being promoted! On the flipside, industrialized organics aren't always that safe (but at least more sustainable with the crop rotation required for USDA certification) and I hope that funding to the huge farms doesn't push the little guys out. Eating locally is always the best choice in terms of carbon footprint, which means even less toxins in the air. Speaking of groups with influence over Congress, I cannot express how excited I am about Michelle Obama's food and exercise initiatives!
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