William Atkins
Saturday, 13 December 2008 21:09
Science -
Health
Page 2 of 3
Scientists have found that mercury can potentially cause neurological problems in fetuses and infants, along with causing increased health problems such as cardiovascular diseases in adults.
However, the FDA now states that omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and other nutrients in fish outweigh the risks from mercury. Officials with the FDA state that all people should eat more than twelve ounces of fish each week.
On the other hand, the new advice from the FDA is causing a lot of controversy at the EPA.
EPA executive director Richard Wiles stated,
"This is an astonishing, irresponsible document. It's a commentary on how low FDA has sunk as an agency. It was once a fierce protector of America's health, and now it's nothing more than a patsy for polluters." [Washington Post]
However, Gavin Gibbons, a spokesman for the National Fisheries Institute, stated:
"This is a science-based approach. And you start to see a picture emerge that shows the clear benefits of eating seafood outweigh the risks of a trace amount of mercury in fish." [Washington Post]
The Center for Consumer Freedom called the fish advisory change as
"long overdue and a huge public-health victory" that "just might be the best Christmas present health-conscious Americans could hope for." [The Associated Press: “
FDA reconsiders consumer advice on fish”]
California senator Barbara Boxer commented,
"FDA should not change anything it cannot back up with the best science, because we know that mercury can cause brain and cardiovascular damage. FDA should not play politics with the health of our families." [The Associated Press]
Page three continues with more comments.
