The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently finalized a rule that extends its regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco, as part of its goal to improve public health.
“Before this final rule, these products could be sold without any review of their ingredients, how they were made, and their potential dangers,” explains Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “Under this new rule, we’re taking steps to protect Americans from the dangers of tobacco products, ensure these tobacco products have health warnings, and restrict sales to minors.”
This FDA Consumer Update confirms the rule’s timeline and includes answers to questions about e-cigarettes and FDA-approved smoking cessation aids.
By Yasmine Ali, MD – Reviewed by a board-certified physician.
Updated June 17, 2016
There are many identified risk factors for cancer, and obesity is one of them. Another potential risk factor appears to be emerging: the intake of certain herbicides used on common genetically modified crops in the United States.
What Are GMOs?
GMO stands for “genetically modified organism,” and this particular kind of biotechnology (genetic engineering) has been applied to common food crops, such as corn and soybeans.
In fact, the vast majority of corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. are now genetically engineered.
The stated purpose of genetically engineered crops has included: increasing crop yields, producing foods that are resistant to mold, creating crops that can thrive on salt water irrigation, and allowing for the growth of agricultural plants that are resistant to herbicides, so that weeds may be easily killed without affecting desired plants.
Science-Backed Concerns About GMOs
A number of scientists, public health experts, and physicians have raised concerns in recent years regarding GMOs. Some of these concerns have been regarding the potential for GMOs to produce new and unanticipated allergens that will lead to new food allergies. Other concerns have been about potential nutritional alterations in the quality of the food we eat.
Some of the most alarming scientific evidence that raises concerns about GMOs has to do with the kinds of herbicides that are used on GMO crops.
GMOs and Herbicides
Corn and soybeans that were genetically engineered to withstand the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) were first made available in the mid-1990s, and these GMO crops now comprise more than 90 percent of the corn and soybeans planted in the U.S.
The big problem with glyphosate is that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stated that it is a “probable human carcinogen”—and this is the herbicide most commonly and widely used on GMO crops.
This means that the most commonly used herbicide on most of the corn and soybeans sold and consumed in the U.S.—not to mention other genetically modified foods that are increasing in number—is likely to cause cancer.
Even more concerning is that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a decision in 2014 to approve a new combination herbicide, Enlist Duo, which contains both glyphosate and 2.4-D—the latter of which was a component of Agent Orange (the toxic herbicide and defoliant used in the Vietnam War that has been recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be associated with a number of cancers and other diseases).
Labeling of GMOs
Although 64 other countries require GMO labeling to identify to consumers which foods are or contain GMOs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently does not.
A number of countries and regions, ranging from countries in the European Union to Saudi Arabia to Thailand and the Philippines, have banned some or all GMOs.
In the United States, a number of non-governmental organizations, such as the Non-GMO Project, have added their voices to those of public health experts raising a number of serious concerns about GMOs.
Sources
:
Guyton KZ, Loomis D, Grosse Y, et al. Carcinogenicity of tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate. Lancet Oncol. 2015;16:490-491.
Landrigan PJ, Benbrook C. GMOs, herbicides, and public health. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:693-695.
National parks are an American invention. They are treasures in our national inheritance — millions of acres of public lands and waterways — that one generation passes on to the next. These beautiful spaces offer adventures for our children, essential protection for our wildlife, and support for local economies.
Yet, we aren’t entitled to them. Our public lands need our protection — they need our dedication to their upkeep and our commitment to their expansion.
And it falls on the shoulders of each new generation to carry on this stunning inheritance, because even though our national parks are vital to our future, the consequences of climate change are becoming more evident every day.
Not only are they celebrating the National Parks’ 100th anniversary, they’re highlighting the critical role our parks will play in America’s next century.
That’s also why President Obama has taken unprecedented action to invest in America’s natural resources, setting aside more public lands and water in his two terms than any president in American history. He is America’s most prolific conservationist — and he’s not done yet.
Here’s what you need to know about President Obama’s historic conservation record:
Protected more than 265 million acres of America’s public lands and waters — more than any other president in history.
Dedicated unprecedented attention and resources to restoring iconic places like the Chesapeake Bay, California Bay-Delta, Great Lakes, and Everglades.
Designated more than 2 million acres of federal wilderness and protected thousands of miles of trails and more than one thousand miles of rivers.
Oversaw more wildlife recoveries under the Endangered Species Act than under any previous administration.
Launched Every Kid in a Park, which gives fourth graders and their families free access to parks.
One hundred million pounds of waste is produced by people visiting the national parks every year. Subaru and the National Park Service have partnered to bring Subaru’s zero landfill expertise to America’s most iconic parks: Denali, Yosemite, and Grand Teton.
There are at least 7 episodes … check them out on youtube
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