As technology improves, so do the materials we use. However, sometimes the materials we think are amazing aren't actually amazing in practice. CFCs were used as cooling agents in refrigerating units for years, until we discovered that they were destroying our ozone layer. Asbestos was a great insulator... until we discovered it caused lung cancer. Vitamin C does a bunch of things to help you, unless you use it at the same time as some cancer drugs.
Studies are coming out all the time as to the benefits of one thing or another. Other tell of the horrible side effects of other things. Drugs have to undergo extensive clinical trials before they are allowed onto the market (but, of course, even that's not an indicator of complete safety). All this research is done, and we still have conflicting results.
What is a consumer to do?
Should we highly inconvenience ourselves in order to prevent ourselves from maybe getting cancer? Should we not drink from water bottles made from plastic because something may get into our water that mimics the actions of hormones, or encourages the growth of cancer? Should we stay completely out of the sun because we may get skin cancer? Should we clean our homes obsessively to prevent the transmission of diseases within the home? Should we never feed our children peanuts so they cannot develop a peanut allergy?
There really comes a point where obsessing about what something might do to you becomes too much. I have a nice family history of breast cancer... both my grandmothers have gotten it, and both have survived. But if I avoid everything that might in some way cause cancer, I won't be living my life, enjoying it. Yes, I should avoid things that are sure to cause cancer, and I should take care to screen myself for this cancer. But, if I'm always worrying about getting cancer, I won't like the life I lived if I end up getting it anyway. Or if I get hit by a bus tomorrow. People who are more prone to breast cancer than me (perhaps their young mothers and aunts have gotten the cancer) may decide it's too much of a risk to do something.
My dad may get lung cancer, because he's a pretty heavy smoker. I avoid cigarettes like the plague, so I'm not going to worry too much about aggravating factors, while he might. I have a history of heavy addiction in my family, so I don't drink to excess or do drugs. I just don't think it's worth it, and I enjoy my life without resorting to such means of entertainment. Other people may be perfectly fine going out partying every weekend. It's really your choice to decide where you draw the line between living your life, and avoiding something that might happen. But most of all, you cannot become afraid of what might happen... if one thing doesn't cause cancer, another will... eventually.
Well said, all of it. There's no use being afraid of everything and life. And honestly, practically just breathing or metabolizing can cause cancer. It's nuts.
Every bit of conflicting information that we see now is just the first wave of a new age. We are expanding knowledge faster and in more directions every year. Fortunately the tools (databases, expe...
everything causes cancer. so do nothing.
:)
you're not dead yet so live like you could be.
"What is the consumer to do?" Just remember, the side effect of life is death. So stop worrying so much about whether talking on your cell phone will give you brain cancer.
Seriously, though, I think a lot of things are a matter of common sense. Go ahead and talk on your cell phone- but recognize that 3 hours a day is probably not healthy (mentally if not physically). Sunlight is good for you, but obviously don't fall asleep on the beach.
I totally agree with your statement that people shouldn't need substances to be happy. Of course, people can do that if they want, but I'd still rather them not and would try to convince so.
I agree with your final analysis, though: live life fully (though I would add one caveat: live life fully, but not recklessly). We're all gonna die anyway- eventually.