Date Posted:16:17:35 07/01/03 Tue Author: Rev Joe Subject: Re: Genetic Engineering In reply to:
SYNTARSUS
's message, "Re: Genetic Engineering" on 15:44:25 07/01/03 Tue
>That is just like with antibiotics. Viruses & bacteria
>- after a while of being exposed - tend to build up a
>resistance against it. Then, we have to make stronger
>and stronger antibiotics in order to combat the
>stronger & stronger bacteria. Then, our normal immune
>systems get weaker & weaker against these stronger
>growing viruses & bacteria. It's like the antibiotics
>are doing all the work for our bodies, our immunity
>gets weak & lazy, and the viruses get angry and fight
>back. (Though this analogy could be wrong.)
>
That's exactly what happens. When we take antibiotics they take over for our body's natural immune system. And their over-use has led to "superBugs" that require stronger and stronger medicine.
>I wonder if antibiotics are the cause of some of these
>weird new viruses . . . Probably. They even use them A
>LOT in farm animals, even when the animals aren't even
>sick!!! They think it makes the meat 'safer' to
>eat!!!! How stupid is that? Safer? I don't think so!
>They're breeding killer viruses!
Several things are going on here: The over use of antibiotics does indeed lead to the increase in mutations of viruses, which is really a shame since antibiotics DON"T WORK ON VIRUSES - they only work on bacteria,which is why there is no cure for the common cold. But what does happen, if we are not taking AB's, is our bodies manufacture their own defenses against the virus. Did you know that everytime you catch a cold it is a different virus? Because your body created an immuntiy to the first cold you ever caught, the virus keeps mutating to stay alive.
In farm animals they give them as a prevention, "in case" the animals come into contact with infective agents, but also to increase growth - the sooner an animal gets to market weight, the sooner they can be sold. All these chemicals make it into our bodies when we consume the animal products. And all those hormones they give the animals come along for the ride as well. And these things are fat soluble, which means they reside in our tissues for a long time before being expelled (if that ever indeed happens) Go to the library and check out "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins, or go to his web site: www.foodrevolution.org. Much interesting information, well documented.
Re: Genetic Engineering -- SYNTARSUS, 17:12:22 07/01/03 Tue