How may we be led

[michaelboy]

Years ago, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was considered a safe and effective pesticide. But then similar considerations were once given to Thalidomide, Red dye #2, Lead, Mercury and most certainly Asbestos (as I had mentioned in a previous entry).

It has me wondering what sources do we choose to trust the most? While the rigor of scientific research can sometimes be unduly influenced or go astray, it still feels substantially more credible than some random and often improperly educated politician's opinion.

Comments

[tactilemuse]

I think this is aligned with something I realized years ago while reading about nutrition, I had no idea that companies could hire lobbyists to pay for governmental backing on their specific field. That while we were told MILK IS THE ONLY REAL SOURCE OF CALCIUM bc advertising backed by our government approved "food pyramid" in the end a lot of those studies are backed and paid for by people who aim to gain from the push of said products.

Or reading Radium Girls and learning about how women were being poisoned from painting dials with radium and that there were other items made with it that we consumed food and drink on or out of. They were told it was safe and scientists may have truly believed that. It all feels nefarious and terrifying, but at the same time I wonder how much of it is humans learning to be human?

Well, I'll stop rambling and go get my leech bleeding appointment for all my female hysteria. LOL

[michaelboy]

Or how the sugar lobby vilified fats in the 70’s and 80's in order to take the light away from themselves.

Hope your appointment went okay!