ADVICE & DISSENT.LETTERS FROM OUR READERS SUBTRACTING POINTS In "Business Savvy" you listed Johnson & Johnson in your "Points for Trying" sidebar (cover story, July/August 2000). Were you aware that this company is still doing animal testing Animal testing or animal research refers to the use of animals in experiments. It is estimated that 50 to 100 million vertebrate animals worldwide [4][5][6] on its cosmetic and health care lines? While I understand your focus is on the environment, as is mine, I question a pat on the back for a company that is causing so much pain, misery and death to helpless animals. Please reconsider any recommendations of this company and any others that are still using unnecessary methods of animal testing for their products. Kayleen G. Plamondon Clackamas, OR SMART BUY? The article "Brain Food" (Eating Right, July/August 2000) reminded me of a study conducted by Consumer Reports a few years back. The magazine funded the study because of the lack of government oversight on the quality of fish entering the market. The study's findings: More than half of all the fish available to the public, fresh or canned, was either rancid ran·cid adj. Having the disagreeable odor or taste of decomposing oils or fats. rancid having a musty, rank taste or smell; applied to fats that have undergone decomposition, with the liberation of fatty acids. , came from polluted waters, or had excessive mercury. It's unlikely the situation has improved in the intervening years. If your readers are concerned about getting their omega-3 oils, they should drop the fat and cholesterol and eat flaxseed flaxseed /flax·seed/ (flak´sed) linseed. and nuts. Flaxseed is a particularly good source of omega-3, and is delicious on cereal, fruit and salad. James Corcoran James Corcoran (c.1770-1804) was an Irish rebel who fought during the rebellion of 1798 and was the leader of the last rebel guerrilla band to be defeated in the years following the suppression of the rebellion. Berkley, MI Editor's Note: Mr. Corcoran is referring to the 1992 Consumers Union report "Is Our Fish Safe to Eat?" Of the seven types of fish purchased at supermarkets and tested, 30 percent were ranked poor quality, a full third mislabeled mis·la·bel tr.v. mis·la·beled also mis·la·belled, mis·la·bel·ing also mis·la·bel·ling, mis·la·bels also mis·la·bels To label inaccurately. Adj. 1. , and nearly half contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. by bacteria. PCBs, mercury and pesticides were also detected. MORAL SUPPORT Please don't let the letter from Jennifer Maloney keep you from writing about population control ("Back-Issue Blues" Advice & Dissent, July/August 2000). Religion has frequently gotten in the way of reality. It has encouraged early settlers to hunt down and kill Native Americans because they were "heathens," burned people for not conforming to their beliefs during the inquisition, and otherwise punished non-conformists. Let's take care of the people who are already here before we create any more. LJ Terry CENSUS SURPRISE I was completely absorbed with "The Caribou's Last Stand?" (In Brief, July/ August 2000) and was shocked to learn that the herd's population is only 32. When people read this article, I hope there will be a stand to save the caribou Caribou, town, United States Caribou (kâr`ĭb  ), town (1990 pop. 9,415), Aroostook co., NE Maine, on the Aroostook River; inc. 1859. , and perhaps some restrictive measures for the snowmobiles
that make them skittish skit·tish adj. 1. Moving quickly and lightly; lively. 2. Restlessly active or nervous; restive. 3. Undependably variable; mercurial or fickle. 4. Shy; bashful. . Your magazine is quite informative and insightful. Bravo! Paul Dale Roberts Department of Community Services Elk Grove, CA |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion