*ahem* *steps on soapbox*
Feb. 15th, 2012 12:35![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torquillAs someone with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity who has training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, may I just say that there are enough dangerous chemicals in our lives without resorting to hysterical hyperbole?
Today, I got a Seed Savers Exchange email which called the herbicide 2,4-D "one of the elements in Agent Orange". I have seen people hyperventilate about the possibility of encountering acetone as a denaturing agent in non-potable alcohol. Someone thought their dentist was trying to poison them by putting antifreeze in the therapeutic paste they were given; I had to point out that propylene glycol is a rather different critter from antifreeze (ethylene glycol). And that's just the episodes that come to mind.
The public knows just enough about chemicals to be scared about the wrong things, without having an awareness of what might be actually toxic in their environment. That's bad enough, but when someone "reports" on a thing like 2,4-D in a sensationalistic way, either out of ignorance or agenda, it makes reasoned discussion impossible. This is also why I can't talk to anyone about genetically engineered plants outside of academia. Without reasoned discussion, we can't do anything to make sure the public is not put at risk.
People may be ignorant, but that's not a reason to take advantage of them. STOP STAMPEDING THE MOB.
Today, I got a Seed Savers Exchange email which called the herbicide 2,4-D "one of the elements in Agent Orange". I have seen people hyperventilate about the possibility of encountering acetone as a denaturing agent in non-potable alcohol. Someone thought their dentist was trying to poison them by putting antifreeze in the therapeutic paste they were given; I had to point out that propylene glycol is a rather different critter from antifreeze (ethylene glycol). And that's just the episodes that come to mind.
The public knows just enough about chemicals to be scared about the wrong things, without having an awareness of what might be actually toxic in their environment. That's bad enough, but when someone "reports" on a thing like 2,4-D in a sensationalistic way, either out of ignorance or agenda, it makes reasoned discussion impossible. This is also why I can't talk to anyone about genetically engineered plants outside of academia. Without reasoned discussion, we can't do anything to make sure the public is not put at risk.
People may be ignorant, but that's not a reason to take advantage of them. STOP STAMPEDING THE MOB.
