Poisoned Profits reflection

I wasn't sure of the impact that Poisoned Profits would have on my life until I rode the bus from Boston to Waltham. I usually people watch on buses, and tonight, I saw something that intensely bothered me. A few weeks ago, I may have noticed it, but tonight, I felt almost obligated to speak out.

I saw a mother and a father feeding McDonalds fries to their infant daughter, still in a stroller sitting in front of them. At first, I wondered if they knew how many chemicals had to be in the food that they were not only feeding themselves, but their extremely young daughter. Then, I saw the baby take out a bottle which was full of juice-- full of sugars and most likely other chemicals as well. Poisoned Profits made clear again and again that mothers today are likely to give birth to children with birth defects, and here was what looked like a healthy baby being fed food that would reverse this miracle.

Although I do not agree with many of the recommendations proposed in the novel, such as the increased role of religion in the environmental movement and the necessity to adopt a system in which the economy takes an active interest in public health, I am happy that the book was able to scare me-- something valuable that I may not have gained so easily from reading a scientific paper or report. The voice of the Schabecoffs' together, even if borderline too colloquial at times, was a key element for the book in terms of making a powerful and succinct point: that even if its too late for us, there is still work that has to be done to ensure a healthy environment for our children and even grandchildren.

I may not agree with all of the opinions stated in Poisoned Profits, but I do agree with this: that the world, my generation in particular, has been charged with an immense goal of not only preserving but cleaning up the environment. I think I can help in accomplishing this goal, and I can only hope that others feel the same way and are ready to begin.