Fear for Profit

Tech Central ^ | 12/28/04 | Sandy Szwarc

[tbird5]

"Government regulation is so pervasive, so intrusive upon our freedoms, that it should be carefully measured and based on rational considerations."

-- John H. Moore, former deputy director, National Science Foundation

Virtually every aspect of our lives today is restricted in some way by the government and it's hard to imagine that such intrusions are based on anything but good science and good sense. But that's not the reality at all.

The more affluent we become, the less faith we place on scientific, reasoned approaches to our decisions. Those struggling every day to feed their children and stay alive, for example, must, of necessity, make decisions about what to eat based on evaluations balancing the benefits and risks. Only the well-to-do can afford the luxury of fretting over intangible concerns or moralizing about romantic ideals. Hence, Western developed nations are increasingly abandoning science-based assessments of risks. In their place is a growing "absolute safety at all costs" perspective that's been skillfully fueled by scares and misinformation from special interests. As a result, foods and technological developments that can and are bettering our lives and can save lives, are being maligned, feared and resisted far out of proportion to their potential risks.

[B4Ranch]

>>The more affluent we become, the less faith we place on scientific, reasoned approaches to our decisions. Those struggling every day to feed their children and stay alive, for example, must, of necessity, make decisions about what to eat based on evaluations balancing the benefits and risks. <<

That's my problem, personal afflunence? Naw, can't be. Just read the entire article. Short Summary: The reality of food and health risks has nothing to do with how safe the public feels or how risks are regulated.

[SuziQ]

As a result, foods and technological developments that can and are bettering our lives and can save lives, are being maligned, feared and resisted far out of proportion to their potential risks.

Food irradiation and nuclear power are two of the major recipients of the bad press. Most people have no idea how they work, so they can be manipulated by fear of the potential 'risks' into NOT wanting to have either.