My wife and I really enjoy reading The Epoch Times, both in print and online. A couple of articles in one of the recent editions (June 30–July 6) left us feeling like we needed to give some feedback.
First, the article [“Device Makers Have Funneled Billions to Orthopedic Surgeons Who Use Their Products” by Fred Schulte and Elizabeth Lucas] on orthopedic surgeons making a lot of money on endorsement, consulting, whatever you want to call it. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon having practiced for over 30 years in a small town, 10 of it by myself and on-call every night I was there. I never made any money off any of what you mentioned in your article, though, admittedly in those 30-plus years, I did go on two fishing trips to a local reservoir with the rep. Please don’t paint us all with the same brush. With the advent of corporate medicine (one of the reasons I retired), there is increased pressure on the doctor to do surgery on things so everyone makes more money. There are, however, many, many doctors that don’t do that, but they don’t make headlines. They just do their best to take care of patients the way they should be treated.
The second is regarding the article on nutrition [“Foods That Can Cause Depression” by Kelly Brogan]. My wife is a registered dietitian and pointed out some things in the article. First, the author incorrectly called roundup a pesticide, but later correctly named it a herbicide. It is definitely not sprayed for pests. Also, essential amino acids, such as tryptophan, are not made by the body and can only be obtained through dietary sources. With the exception of rapeseed, I doubt that very many farmers are going to spray their vegetable crop with something that is going to kill the plant. To my knowledge, rapeseed is the only plant successfully engineered to be relatively resistant, but not immune to glyphosate (roundup).
One should keep in mind that GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have really been a boon to mankind. Through genetic engineering they have been able to have plants generate their own Bt (a naturally occurring pesticide) and also develop resistance to various pests, thereby decreasing the need for chemical control, i.e., pesticides. Most of the corn, soy, and cotton planted are GMOs. Through the use of GMO plants, there is a decreased need for chemicals, decreased need for tillage of the soil which destroys the micro rhizomes and decreases soil health and less tillage means less erosion. Species of corn and rice can be grown under different conditions that they didn’t use to be able to, thereby feeding more people. Yields are increased, the cost is decreased. GMO rice has been able to produce beta carotene, which leads to better eye health in areas where it might not be readily available. Learn about both sides of the GMO “controversy” before making a snap decision.
Thank you for your time.
David L. Bowles, M.D.
