Bruce Ames and his colleagues have pointed out that although detailed toxicological analysis had been conducted on synthetic chemicals, almost no information is available about eh mutagenic or carcinogenic effects of the toxins produced by plants as a natural defense against fungi, insects, and animal predators. Tens of thousands of such compounds have been discovered, and he estimates that in the United States adults eat about 1.5 grams of these compounds each day-levels that are approximately 10,000 times higher than those of synthetic pesticides present in their diet. For example, cabbage contains 49 natural pesticides and metabolites, and only a few of these have been tested for the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.
Answer both of the following questions in your posts!
A. With the introduction of new foods into the US diet over the last 200 years (mangoes, kiwi, tomatoes etc) has there been enough time for humans to develop resistance to the mutagenic effects of the toxins present in those foods?
B. The natural pesticides present in plants constitute more than 99% of the toxins we eat. Should diet planning, especially for vegetarians, take into account the doses of toxins in the diet?
Question A
Answer: No, humans have not developed resistance to the mutagenic effects of the toxins present in those foods because such type of evolution takes several generations to be developed and thus, developing resistance to the mutagenic effects of the toxins cannot take place in 200 years.
Question B
Answer: Yes, vegetarians should be aware that their diets contain toxins from pesticides and thus vegetarians should take into account the doses of toxins in their diet but they can also need to be aware of choosing foods which are Genetically Modified (GMO) or which are produced pesticide free and naturally.
Bruce Ames and his colleagues have pointed out that although detailed toxicological analysis had been conducted...