President’s Cancer Panel: ‘Eat Organic, Ward Off Cancer’

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By Marion Nestle, The Atlantic, May 12, 2010

Thanks to Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times (“New alarm bells about chemicals and cancer”) for telling readers about a report on chemicals and cancer released last week by the President’s Cancer Panel.

I had never heard of this panel—appointed during the Bush Administration, no less—and went right to its 2008-2009 annual report (PDF).

The Panel says that the “risk of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated,” that “nearly 80,000 chemicals [are] on the market in the United States, many of which are … understudied and largely unregulated,” and that “the public remains unaware … that children are far more vulnerable to environmental toxins and radiation than adults.”

Evidence suggests that some environmental agents may initiate or promote cancer by disrupting normal immune and endocrine system functions. The burgeoning number and complexity of known or suspected environmental carcinogens compel us to act to protect public health, even though we may lack irrefutable proof of harm.

I’m guessing this report will cause a furor. Why? “Lack irrefutable proof” means the science isn’t there. In this situation, the Panel advises precaution. Check out these examples selected from the recommendations:

    Parents and child care providers should choose foods, house and garden products, play spaces, toys, medicines, and medical tests that will minimize children’s exposure to toxics. Ideally, both mothers and fathers should avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
    It is preferable to use filtered tap water instead of commercially bottled water.
    Exposure to pesticides can be decreased by choosing … food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers [translation: organics] and washing conventionally grown produce to remove residues.
    Exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic run-off from livestock feedlots can be minimized by eating free-range meat [translation: don’t eat feedlot meat].

Expect to hear an uproar from the industries that might be affected by this report. The American Cancer Society (ACS) doesn’t like it either (see Denise Grady’s take on the report, also in the New York Times), since the report implies that the ACS hasn’t been doing enough to educate the public about this issue. The ACS said in a report:

Elements of this report are entirely consistent with the recently published “American Cancer Society Perspective on Environmental Factors and Cancer” … Unfortunately, the perspective of the report is unbalanced by its implication that pollution is the major cause of cancer, and by its dismissal of cancer prevention efforts aimed at the major known causes of cancer (tobacco, obesity, alcohol, infections, hormones, sunlight) as “focused narrowly” … it would be unfortunate if the effect of this report were to trivialize the importance of other modifiable risk factors that, at present, offer the greatest opportunity in preventing cancer.

ACS says the Panel does not back up its recommendations with enough research. Maybe, but why isn’t ACS pushing for more and better research on these chemicals? However small the risks—and we hardly know anything about them—these chemicals are unlikely to be good for human health. Doesn’t precaution make sense? I think so.

Vía Orgánica: The Organic Way–One Year After

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By Molly Blakemore

In May Via Organica celebrated the one-year anniversary of our organic grocery store and affiliated restaurant, our organic farm school, and our website. Many of you are probably familiar with one or another of our projects here in San Miguel. Perhaps you shop at our store in the Guadalupe neighborhood (Margarito Ledesma #2) or have attended an organic farming workshop (at the greenhouse in the Parque Landeta), or visited our booth at the San Miguel Eco-Fair in March. But many of you may not know about the full range of our work locally and throughout Mexico.

Working in conjunction with progressive local officials, as well as dozens of small farmer, organic, and environmental networks, Via Organica (VO), is rapidly becoming a leading force in the organic movement in Mexico. Via Organica’s successful projects include a thriving full-line organic food store, organic wholesale business, and restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, which employs 25 people and buys organic food from over 100 regional small farmers; an ongoing organic agriculture school for small farmers that has already attracted over 500 farmers from all over Mexico; a model organic farm plot and greenhouse; a forthcoming organic farmers market; and a public education outreach program utilizing Via Organica staff and visiting speakers, newspaper articles, radio, public events, and the internet.

On March 19-21 Via Organica co-sponsored a major Eco-Fair (Expo Feria Ambiental) in San Miguel, which attracted thousands of participants and visitors interested in organic food and farming, solar and wind energy, and green building and permaculture practices. The fair was a huge success, demonstrating that with the support of Mayor Nuñez and her administration the “organic way” message has the potential to spread, not only across the municipalidad, but all of Mexico.

Via Organica’s daily updated Spanish website www.viaorganica.org is up and running. After this inaugural issue of VO¹s bi-lingual Spanish and English language, electronic newsletter, Boletin Via Organica will continue to go out every month to thousands of green-minded consumers, students, and farmers across Mexico. Via Organica has joined an initiative sponsored by Consumers International (CI) and Colectivo Ecologista Jalisco (CEJ) called “Ciudades Semilla” or “Seed Cities”.

The November 2009 meeting brought together a network of like-minded individuals in cities across Mexico and Latin America that are determined to change the way cities deal with major environmental issues such as transportation, energy use, consumption, garbage, water, and food. Via Organica is also in the process of becoming an affiliate member of Consumers International, which has member groups in 100 countries.

In mid-April, several Via Organica staff members traveled to Cochabamba, Bolivia for the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. More than 35,000 delegates from social movements and organizations from 140 countries participated in this “grassroots climate summit,” organized as an alternative to the failed Copenhagen Climate talks.

Via Organica and hundreds of other groups are now planning for demonstrations and teach-ins at the next UN Climate Summit in Cancun, Mexico (November 29-December 10, 2010), billed as the next round of Copenhagen. Via Organica plans to organize a sizeable delegation of North American organic consumers and farmers to attend the Alternative Climate Summit in Cancun. If you are interested is being part of the Via Organica delegation, please contact us.

The Problem with Box Stores

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By Molly Blakemore

Via Organica wants to remind you that we are what we eat, and what we buy. Each of our purchasing decisions either supports our current, unsustainable “business as usual” economy, or else moves us toward a greener, healthier, more equitable society.

Millions of green and health-minded consumers around the world are breaking the chains of corporate control in their own lives, by supporting organic, Fair Trade, and locally owned farms, businesses and products.

The quality and range of Mexico’s daily essentials are being dictated and degraded by a powerful network of Brand Name Bullies and Big Box chains. Mega (Costco), Bodega Aurrera (Wal-Mart/Walmex), and Soriana are quickly changing the way Mexicans shop, turning them into U.S. style mega-consumers.

In the U.S., we have seen the damage that big chain stores like Wal-Mart have done to fair labor practices by reducing wages, denying benefits, breaking unions, and shipping jobs overseas. Wal-Mart has ravaged the environment and local economies by violating the Clean Water Act, dramatically increasing the distance that food travels from farm to plate (food miles) and bankrupting small, independently-owned stores by driving prices down, all at a huge burden to U.S. taxpayers.

Now, these same things are happening in Mexico. Walmex/Sam’s Club currently operates 1,410 retail stores throughout Mexico, and have become the largest employer in the country. Soriana has 471 stores, while Commercial Mexicana (Mega, City Market, Costco) operates 191.

By “outsourcing” from sweatshops in the factories and fields, by cutting corners on public health and the environment, and by sucking up billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies, business behemoths such as Wal-Mart, Soriana, and others have constructed a vast global shopping mall of cheap goods and conveniences, reinforced by a non-stop, 24/7 glut of multi-media distractions.

If we want to preserve our health and the environment, if we want to dramatically reduce greenhouse gases and stabilize the climate, if we want an economy that can support organic farmers and small businesses, then we must support local and organic producers in San Miguel.

Say “NO” to the big box stores and junk food chains. Shop and eat at stores and restaurants like Via Organica, Tapas, Natura, Bové, and Sollano 16 that buy from the community, pay fair wages, and promote health and sustainability in San Miguel.

Ten Healthy Reasons to Eat Local, Organic Foods

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By Molly Blakemore,  March 31, 2010

Zero chemical pesticides, fertilizers or antibiotics and improved nutrient value are just some of the reasons to shop at your local organic tienda. There are new studies out everyday about the health benefits of organic produce. Chronic illness and obesity are bi-products of a diseased food system, which makes it all the more important for you to know how and where your food was produced. Here are ten ways organics can help stem the tide of sickness and ill health.

1. Superior Nutrition: Studies have shown significantly higher levels of important vitamins and trace minerals in organic foods as opposed to foods grown on dead soils doused with toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Higher levels of nutrients and essential minerals include, calcium, magnesium, boron, lithium, selenium, chromium, vitamin C, beta carotene, and B vitamins.

2. Lower Heavy Metal Content: Studies have also shown that organic food is lower in lead, mercury and aluminum.  Heavy metal toxicity can result in damaged or reduced mental and central nervous function, lower energy levels, and can damage lungs, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. Long-term exposure may result in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis.

3. No Pesticides: Pesticide residues, routinely detected in conventional (non-organic) foods have been linked to birth defects, nerve damage, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders and cancer. Infants and children are especially susceptible (10-100 times) to the toxic pesticide residues in non-organic food.

4. No Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used on factory farms to fatten pigs and speed the growth of chickens. As a result of rampant overuse of antibiotics in factory farm animals, humans are eating meat contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria and high levels of antibiotics. Prolonged ingestion of antibiotics increases drug resistance in illness causing microorganisms.  Organic agriculture does not allow the use of antibiotics.

5. No GMOs: Genetically Engineered Crops are outlawed in organic agriculture. GMOs have been linked to a wide variety of toxic and allergenic reactions, including sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals.

6. More Variety: Eating locally and with the seasons often provides more variety in what you eat.  More obscure local specialties, including native foods that are not carried or even accepted at supermarket-driven food chains.

7. Fresher and Sun-Ripened: Locally grown organic produce does not have to travel as far, so it is left on the vine or in the soil longer and ripens in the sun rather than on a truck. Sun-ripened fruits and vegetables are higher in nutrient content.

8. No Irradiation: Irradiated foods are zapped with radioactive nuclear waste or bombarded with electron beams, which destroy vitamins and nutrients and create carcinogenic compounds.

9. Safe for Farmers and Farm Workers: Dangerous pesticides linked to cancer, birth defects, and other adverse health effects threaten the health of millions of farmers and farm workers across North America. Cancer rates in these communities are alarmingly high.

10. Better Taste: Hundreds of gourmet chefs all over the world are choosing to use organic food in their restaurants because they firmly believe the taste and quality are vastly superior to the non-organic variety.  Because organic food is grown in well-balanced soil, it makes sense that these healthy plants have a great taste.

México Ha Perdido 127 Especies en Dos Décadas

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Por Carolina Gómez Mena, La Jornada, Mayo 23, 2010

No Descarta Afectaciones por El Derrame de Petróleo en El Golfo

En las pasadas dos décadas México perdió 127 especies, aseguró José Sarukhán Kermez, coordinador de la Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (Conabio), quien explicó que una de las principales causas de ello es la destrucción de los ecosistemas.

Resaltó que el país posee “alrededor de 10 por ciento de las especies del mundo, es decir, unas 170 mil”, desde microbios hasta grandes vertebrados, lo cual lo sitúa entre las principales cinco naciones megadiversas de todo el planeta.

Al conmemorarse ayer el Día Internacional de la Diversidad Biológica, Sarukhán expresó en entrevista que situaciones como el derrame de petróleo en el Golfo de México –responsabilidad de la empresa British Petroleum– son circunstancias que afectan los ecosistemas. Aunque por el momento no hay riesgo para el país, dijo, la Conabio se encuentra monitoreando día a día y vía satélite el desplazamiento de la mancha de crudo.

–¿Podría haber especies en riesgo?

–Depende de cómo llegue. Si es en pequeños grumos y gotas, es menos dañino que en masas enormes. Si arriba a la arena y hay tortugas ovipositando en ese momento, pueden tener problemas. Si la mancha llega en grandes pedazos, las aves costeras y las que viven en manglares podrían tener conflictos muy serios.

Sin embargo, subrayó que por ahora “la mancha está muy lejos”. Sólo podría acercarse, consideró, por la acción de los ciclones.

“El problema va a ser de Estados Unidos y México, así como probablemente de Cuba, a la hora que entren los primeros huracanes fuertes, porque esa mancha, que por el momento sólo se ha partido en dos, se va a pulverizar, se va a volver un montón de manchas que será difícil seguir”.

Respecto de la pérdida de especies destacó que “en México y el mundo falta muchísimo por hacer”. Exhortó a los gobiernos, particularmente de los estados y municipales, a “usar la información” que se tiene sobre esa situación de “mejor manera”, con el propósito de emprender acciones más efectivas.

Vaticina incremento de enfermedades

Al recordar que este año ha sido declarado como el de la biodiversidad, Sarukhán alertó sobre la aparición de enfermedades en diversas zonas, debido principalmente al ascenso de la temperatura global y al desplazamiento de vectores hacia áreas que tradicionalmente eran más frías.

“Se están originando males por la perturbación de selvas y bosques, por el cambio climático tenemos movimiento de vectores; por ejemplo, los mosquitos que transmiten el dengue se mueven a zonas cada vez más altas, conforme la temperatura va cambiando, o las chinches (vinchuca) que provocan el mal de Chagas.”

Se considera que México ocupa el segundo lugar mundial en diversidad de reptiles, con 804 especies; tercer lugar en mamíferos, con 525; quinto en sapos, ranas y salamandras, con 361, y quinto en plantas vasculares, con 23 mil 424. Aquí viven siete de las ocho especies de tortugas marinas, y en los mares mexicanos habita casi la mitad de ballenas y delfines del planeta.