Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

SCIENTIFIC FOUL PLAY AT THE FDA
The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a survey of scientists who
work for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The survey reveals
that one-fifth of FDA scientists "have been asked, for non-scientific
reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or their
conclusions in a FDA scientific document." The study strongly suggests that
the FDA is not adequately regulating products that significantly impact
public health, including food, drugs, vaccines, and medical devices. The
survey also indicates that 61 percent of the respondents knew of cases
where FDA political appointees have "inappropriately injected themselves
into FDA determinations or actions." Eighty one percent of FDA scientists
in the survey agreed that the "public would be better served if the
independence and authority of FDA post-market safety systems were
strengthened."
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1179.cfm

PESTICIDES' SILENT SPRING: WHY ROBINS AREN'T SINGING
A new study indicates that Robins and other birds are still suffering
damage from exposure to DDT, despite the fact the pesticide was banned in
the United States over three decades ago. New research shows that the area
of the brain affected causes birds with high exposure levels to be unable
to sing and protect territory. Researchers estimate that at least 15 to 20
generations of robins have been affected since the pesticide was first
applied. The study provides further evidence that many of the toxic
chemicals and pesticides we use today will continue to impact the
environment and public health for generations to come. "Yes, it happened
historically, but there are still problems with pesticides," says Andrew
Iwaniuk, author of the study. "They have an extremely long half-life and
just because we use one today, that doesn't mean it will always be safe."
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1209.cfm