The Philosophy of Chemistry
From my understanding, the philosophy of chemistry tries to answer questions such as why can't we put our hands through walls if 99.9% of an atom is space?
It is necessary to unite theory and application. Or else, what is theory good for?
I think it is important to proceed scientific investigations within a philosophical framework. That would help scientists keep the big picture in mind while looking into all the little details.
Aspartame
Here is an excerpt from the FDA website:
"FDA calls aspartame, sold under trade names such as NutraSweet and Equal, one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved. The agency says the more than 100 toxicological and clinical studies it has reviewed confirm that aspartame is safe for the general population."
It is disgusting that FDA will stand by the likes of aspartame and many other harmful drugs with severe side-effects or known to be have high health risk, while banning herbs like Ephedra (ma huang)--which has been safely used in China for more than 4,000 years--because it was a possible cause for death due to misuse*.
*Ephedra was used for thousands of years in China to treat asthma. Just before it was banned by FDA, it was mainly used in the west for weight loss and energy boost by athletes.
The Healing Power of Chocolate
How can we rationalize about chocolate? Chocolate is a something that if you like it, you would eat it no matter what. If you don't like it (probably only Ashley), then you probably won't eat it just for health reason.
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2 comments:
It makes you wonder why the FDA would want to promote such a toxic additive even though they know its dangerous. I guess it all comes down to money. Thanks for the info...along with ephedra they also banned tryptophan, which is really great for deppresion and anxiety...I wish they would ban more things that are actully dangerous for us and not the ones we can use.
Isn't it interesting how the FDA is standing by its statements about aspartame just like the president is standing by his policies on the war in Iraq? I think that it is not only about the money but also about pride, it's really sad that these institutions that we are supposed to trust for our protection can not completely be trusted, especially if we are trying to avoid getting cancer.
P.S. If chocolate turns out to be an amazing fix-all, I might have to start eating it :)
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