Page 16 - Fall2010

Caustic Commentary

TV commercials, in-store displays, Facebook and Twitter. are familiar with the renewed debate on Colin Campbell’s book,
Moreover, they are now offering flu shots before Labor Day, The China Study, sparked by the brilliant analysis of Denise
to catch the back-to-school crowd, rather than in October as Minger (http://rawfoodsos.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/min-
in previous years. Overall, about 40 percent of the population ger_formal_response2.pdf). Minger she notes many flaws in the
older than six months received a seasonal flu vaccine last year, data and methodology Campbell uses to support his conclusion
besting the previous high of 33 percent. The drugstore chains that plant-based diets are healthier than diets containing meat
hope for even higher numbers with the new marketing strategy, or dairy products. In his various responses to Minger’s analy-
betting that customers will stop in for a flu shot and also pick sis, in which Campbell refers to Minger as a “young girl” and
up some suntan lotion or school supplies (Wall Street Journal, the Weston A. Price Foundation as an “agricultural lobbying
August 17, 2010). Not mentioned in any of the glitzy promotional organization” with “untold amounts of financial resources,” he
material for flu vaccines is the fact the every vaccine contains at makes a very interesting statement: “I first inquired whether a
least four neurotoxins: mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde and collection of variables in the China survey. . . could consistently
MSG. Those who get a flu vaccine five years in a row are ten and internally support each of these biologically plausible models
times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (Neurology and, second, I determined whether the findings for each of these
2004; 63: 838-842). models were consistent with the overarching hypothesis that a
whole food, plant-based diet promotes health” (http://rawfood-
CHINA STUDY REVISITED sos.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/minger_formal_response2.
Those of you who follow Chris Masterjohn’s blog on our website pdf). In other words, Campbell picked the data that supported

FDA TO REVIEW THE SAFETy OF MERCURy DENTAL AMALGAM

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review the safety of dental amalgam, which is 50 percent
mercury, beginning with a public hearing on December 14 and 15. A final ruling is expected by mid 2011.
The FDA’s controversial 2009 Final Rule upholding the safety of dental amalgam sparked a public outcry and prompted
several groups—dental professionals as well as citizens—to file legal petitions for reconsideration with the FDA.
According to FDA watchdog Jim Dickinson of www.fdaweb.com, the FDA appears ready to reverse itself this time. “They’re
laying the groundwork to make a reversal appear legally consistent,” he said, referring to FDA’s interest in considering informa-
tion previously overlooked as well as a 2009 report on risk assessment by the National Academy of Sciences. “It appears the
agency is aware that it’s on the losing side, and as the scientific evidence grows, it’s time to move.”
On the other hand, “FDA hopes to defer to its dental products advisory panel, thus much depends on who gets named
to the panel and whether they’re up to the job,” warned Jim Love, attorney for the International Academy of Oral Medicine
and Toxicology (IAOMT), an anti-mercury dental association sponsoring two of the four legal petitions.
Enough evidence exists to allow the FDA to ban amalgam, as Norway and Sweden have done. However, the FDA’s ruling
on the petitions is unlikely to be an outright ban, since agencies don’t reverse themselves abruptly. The ruling may be a tiered
approach involving some combination of warning, informed consent and ban, depending on patient risk group. Or, it could
be a reclassification of amalgam, requiring additional scrutiny, which could eventually lead to a ban.

WHAT yOU CAN DO:
Send a comment to the FDA (“docket number FDA-2010-N-0268”) via the Internet, www.regulations.gov, or by mail:
Division of Dockets Management, Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
Points to include: Mercury is a neurotoxin, an oxidative catalyst and an enzyme disruptor. Mercury has been implicated
in many diseases including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and autism. Chronic, low-dose poisons like mercury may be difficult
to study, but that doesn’t make them safe. Since mercury is stored preferentially in the brain, total body burden cannot be
measured except on autopsy. Mercury susceptibility appears to have a genetic component. Dental patients should be informed
of the materials being implanted in their teeth. The decision on how much risk is acceptable can only be made by the patient,
not the dentist.
Finally, report any adverse effects to the FDA if your health problems are attributable to dental amalgam: http://www.fda.
gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm.
16 Wise Traditions FALL 2010