Re: New York Times - Red Meat Irradiation Rules

["Warren Church" <Warren_Church@uml.edu>]

I think similar arguments could be used against the pasteurization of milk,
Warren Church, UMass Lowell
warren_church@uml.edu

Scott Flowerday wrote:

> I am not in disagreement with food irradiation, but I think you have
> missed the point on this.  If food irradiation becomes a means to
> lower basic sanitary conditions then it should be opposed.  If
> sanitary conditions are maintained at the current level is food
> irradiation cost effective?  If sanitary conditions were raised
> (heaven forbid we hold an industry to high standards) is food
> irradiation warranted at all?
> Don't be so quick to condemn Ms.Foreman, maybe we should first examine
> the motives of those that support food irradiation.
>
> This is clearly my opinion.
>
> > I am certainly not a microbiologist, but it seems to me that the mechanism
> > for building resistance to an antibiotic (or pesticide) is a chemical
> > mechanism, not a radiological one.  No antibiotic kills every singe
> > bacterium, and the few that survive have the biochemistry to resist that
> > antibiotic in the future.  It seems to me that if this were to happen with
> > radiation, one radiates a little more or longer.
> >
> > Also, Ms. Foreman's comments seem to be typical of those of critics who are
> > reaching and stretching for reasons to oppose food irradiation.
> >
> > Clearly only my own opinion.
> >
> > Ruth F. Weiner, Ph. D.
> > Sandia National Laboratories
> > MS 0718, POB 5800
> > Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
> > 505-844-4791; fax 505-844-0244
> > rfweine@sandia.gov
> >
> Scott D. Flowerday
> Emergency Response and Investigation Branch
> Bureau of Radiation Control
> (512) 834-6688
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