RE: dioxin exposure through food

[Patricia Dines <73652.1202@CompuServe.COM>]

Hi - 

I think both points are valuable and important here, and there's no need to
choose between them.  

On the one hand, as individuals seeking to make their way through the world in
as healthy a fashion as possible, and take care of ourselves and those we love,
it's good to know what types of foods are particularly toxic, such as fatty food
higher in the food chain where toxins bioaccumulate.  I think this information
can be provided in a useful way without insisting that the only possible
solution is to become a vegetarian, which is not necessarily the right choice
for everyone (ex. children) and can unnecessarily marginalize environmentalism.
Still, it's valuable for people to know all the ways they're being exposed to
these toxics, to support whatever informed action they wish to make - for
instance, reducing meat consumption or only buying organic meat.  

I think it's good to support people in taking care of their individual
well-being.  By taking care of ourselves, we can then can be healthy enough to
take on the larger issues, and we support those creating the way out of the
toxic mess (for example, the organic farmers). 

But most importantly, by letting people know their personal risk and the way
that both personal and group action are needed to resolve it, we bring people
into the cause in a very tangible way.  No longer is it a theoretical threat
"out there."  It's the toxics in our food and our children's food and it becomes
frighteningly real.  Often that immediacy is useful and necessary for people to
take the time to become informed and take action.

In this way, talking about both the threats to the individual and what they can
do to take care of themself, and linking that to the global issues and how it's
threatening us all and requires group action too for solution, you have a two
pincher approach that correctly describes to microcosm and macrocosm of the
problem, giving a clear picture of the problem and providing direct motivation
for action. 

Just some thoughts...

Tricia Dines