Aspartame a possible carcinogen, WHO cancer research agency expected to say
Aspartame a possible carcinogen, WHO cancer research agency expected to say
One of the world's most common artificial sweeteners is set to be declared a possible carcinogen.
One of the world's most common artificial sweeteners is set to be declared a possible carcinogen.
(Edit- Question from OP: downvoters, do you not want me to post stories like this, or are you expressing disagreement with some of the people in the report?)
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I mean.... Is anyone surprised? I'm not surprised.
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I actually am.
Everyone has been saying it is for years, but I was never able to find any hard evidence despite it being the subject of numerous studies.
I feel kind of naive now.
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That's because there hasn't really been any hard evidence. From the article itself:
It has four different levels of classification - carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic and not classifiable. The levels are based on the strength of the evidence, rather than how dangerous a substance is.
"Probably carcinogenic" is thus the least supported one one can make a ruling with.
Then it all depends on the studies themselves too. Like one study on sunscreens found that oxybenzone caused endocrine disruptions in mice; when force-fed unrealistic amounts of it. Like what does that even tell us? Don't compulsively eat sunscreen, you could get sick?
The chemical was prohibited nonetheless, because generally a "better safe than sorry" approach is taken. These corporations don't want to face massive class-action lawsuits, so you can expect aspartame to be phased out.
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"Probably carcinogenic" is thus the least supported one one can make a ruling with.
gonna go ahead and assume you meant "possibly" carcinogenic?
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Ack, good catch! Thank you!
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Thanks for the explanation! I guess it does make sense to use the precautionary principle.
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There are circumstances where the precautionary principle is good to apply. But overuse of it has really bad cumulative consequences.
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I think that would depend on magnitude if probability was low or indeterminate?
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It's worth pointing out that red meat is one step higher on the list as a probable carcinogen (Class 2A vs Class 2B), as is drinking liquids above 65 C.
One step higher in Class 1 is, among others things, the pill.
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