1 commentupdate:Feb 5, 2007
The dangers of pseudo science
Guest Bloggers
Distortion of science to promote protectionist agendas
happens. Many countries are applying trade embargos against exporters as a
result of isolating and identifying low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza in
non-commercial birds in nature reserves or zoos following intensive
surveillance. By Simon
Shane
The emergence of a controversy in India involving alleged contamination of
two multinational brands of carbonated beverages with pesticides is cause for
concern.
An advocacy group The Center for Science and Environment, has publicized
analytical findings purporting to show levels of pesticide contamination "24
times above the legal limit" for unspecified compounds. On evaluation of this
claim it was determined that the upper level imposed by the Government of India
is 0.1ppb (part per billion) for any single compound and not more than 0.5 ppb
for total pesticide content.
To appreciate the magnitude involved in the maximum limit, 0.1 ppb
corresponds to 1 drop of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool or 4cm in
relation to the circumference of the Earth.
Notwithstanding the doubtful validity of the standard, the Central Science
Laboratory affiliated to the Government of the UK was unable to support the
claims made by the laboratory in India with respect to the identity and level of
the pesticides. A select panel appointed by the Ministry of Health of India has
recently rejected the study conducted by the CSE, indicating omissions of data
and deficiencies in procedures.
The results of the initial assays have stimulated the State of Karnataka to
institute legal proceedings against the two multinational manufacturers. The
State of Kerala has banned the production and distribution of the brands and
other States have removed products from public buildings. The Research
Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology is sponsoring embargos of the two
products and finds common cause with the Quit India Campaign which opposes
multinational companies.
Distortion of science to promote protectionist agendas is not confined to
beverages. Many countries are applying trade embargos against exporters as a
result of isolating and identifying low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza in
non-commercial birds in nature reserves or zoos following intensive
surveillance. The fact that the nations imposing restrictions contrary to WTO
regulations, may in fact be subject to endemic AI or fail to implement their own
surveillance systems is conveniently ignored.
Other instances come to mind which have impeded trade. A laboratory in Russia
claimed in 2004 to have detected radiation in consignments of leg quarters from
the USA. Regulatory officials in China allegedly isolated E.coli O157:H7 from US
processed poultry in 2005, a finding which was not verified. Consignments of
poultry meat from diverse countries have been rejected on the basis of finding
Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp. which are ubiquitous.
Impeding trade without valid scientific justification in
the guise of protecting national flocks or consumers is cynically
wrong.
By: Simon
Shane
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