Reply #51: Wonder Why

[Celebration]

You picked on my EPA example and left out the later FDA one. Oh well, selective memory I guess. The FDA is rife with examples of caving in to economic interests. I gave the Vioxx example (only rectified after Graham forced the issue) as a reason I don't trust them--and I really haven't seen that addressed--and that of course was the crux of the argument so that is ignored. I don't trust them to tell me the whole truth about a drug and I don't trust them to tell me the whole truth about amalgams. As a matter of fact, I do not trust the FDA. Did I say I didn't trust the FDA? Let me reword this--I do not trust the FDA at all. I don't think I have made myself clear-- the FDA cannot be trusted. Did I say that not only do I not trust the FDA, I feel that they have *earned* my mistrust. Haha. I really think it is funny that someone could think this is libelous.

Here is what this post is about--since some have a short attention span and hearken back to other people who may have said this or that. This post is about not trusting the FDA.

The reason that this is in the thread about amalgams is that I answered an answer on this thread, which stated the following--

The FDA, the CDC, and ADA all continue to confirm that amalgam does NOT cause every disease known to man (as you seem to insist).

That statement about the FDA makes no sense to me, after what we have gone through with Vioxx. It apparently was on topic for that person, so my response is on topic.

I really think it would be a good idea if people in general here would do their best not to try to put words in someone else's mouth, in particular when attacking them. I never have claimed the amalgam fillings caused everything or *anything.* All I said was that it is laughable to think that they are safe just because the FDA hasn't pronounced them dangerous. I didn't imply anything other than that. I did say that the FDA cannot be trusted.

Go on and attack me for what I say--the FDA cannot be trusted, and they give in to economic interests. Try not to be distracted about things I haven't said about amalgams.

I do have questions about amalgams. I am not sure at all that they are absolutely safe for everyone, and nothing is "well settled" about it, and feel that this pretty much sums it up.

The epidemiological studies done so far that find amalgams safe are not long enough, and not well controlled.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16448848&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2006 Jan 27;

Mercury amalgam dental fillings: An epidemiologic assessment.

Bates MN.

Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, 140 Warren Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA.

Dental amalgam fillings containing approximately 50% mercury have been used for almost 200 years and have been controversial for almost the same time. Allegations of effects caused by amalgams have involved many diseases. Recent evidence that small amounts of mercury are continuously released from amalgam fillings has fuelled the controversy. This is a comprehensive review of the epidemiologic evidence for the safety of dental amalgam fillings, with an emphasis on methodological issues and identifying gaps in the literature. Studies show little evidence of effects on general chronic disease incidence or mortality. Limited evidence exists for an association with multiple sclerosis, but few studies on either Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. The preponderance of evidence suggests no renal effects and that ill-defined symptom complexes, including chronic fatigue syndrome, are not caused by amalgams. There is little direct evidence that can be used to assess reproductive hazards. Overall, few relevant epidemiologic studies are available. Most prior assessments of possible amalgam health effects have been based on comparisons of dental mercury exposures with occupational exposures causing harm. However, the amalgam-exposed population contains a broader, possibly more susceptible, spectrum of people. Common limitations of population-based studies of dental amalgam effects include inadequate longitudinal exposure assessment and negative confounding by better access to dental care in higher socioeconomic groups. Better designed studies are needed, particularly for investigation of neurodegenerative diseases and effects on infants and children.

PMID: 16448848

Hey, maybe this is just me, but, overall the state of affairs outlined here does not leave me with an abundance of confidence, and the limited association with ms doesn't sound particularly appealing. If it does to you, so be it.