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Tom harrison (talk | contribs) →Internet rumors and activism: Aspartame, The Silent Killer ref |
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The FDA approval of aspartame and claims of deleterious medical effects attributed to aspartame have been the subject of a [[conspiracy theory]], distributed on the [[internet]] and via [[email]].<ref name=MAN_Markle/><ref name=Hawaii/><ref name=urbanlegends/> |
The FDA approval of aspartame and claims of deleterious medical effects attributed to aspartame have been the subject of a [[conspiracy theory]], distributed on the [[internet]] and via [[email]].<ref name=MAN_Markle/><ref name=Hawaii/><ref name=urbanlegends/> |
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Internet sites are commonly the source of claims against the safety of aspartame. Some websites contain claims, attributed to "Nancy Markle", that include allegations that aspartame is responsible for [[multiple sclerosis]], systemic [[lupus]], and [[methanol]] toxicity, causing "blindness, spasms, shooting pains, seizures, headaches, depression, anxiety, memory loss, birth defects" and death.<ref name=MAN_Markle/> |
Internet sites are commonly the source of claims against the safety of aspartame. Some websites contain claims, attributed to "Nancy Markle", that include allegations that aspartame is responsible for [[multiple sclerosis]], systemic [[lupus]], and [[methanol]] toxicity, causing "blindness, spasms, shooting pains, seizures, headaches, depression, anxiety, memory loss, birth defects" and death.<ref name=MAN_Markle/> |
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Since December 1998, misleading and inaccurate information about aspartame started spreading on the Internet.<ref name=urbanlegends>[http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blasp.htm Aspartame Warning] [[About.com]] - the Nancy Markle chain email.</ref> <ref name=Hawaii>[http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/FST-3.pdf Falsifications and Facts about Aspartame] - An analysis of the origins of aspartame disinformation, by the University of Hawaii</ref>, based on an email signed "Nancy Markle", allegedly based on Markle's talks at the "World Environmental Conference".<ref name=urbanlegends/> According to the [[Media Awareness Network]], Markle does not appear to exist, and investigators suspect that the real author of the email was anti-aspartame [[activism|activist]] Betty Martini, who posted a host of similar messages to Usenet newsgroups in late 1995 and early 1996.<ref name=urbanlegends/> She believes that there is a conspiracy between the FDA and the producers of aspartame.<ref name=MAN_Markle/> This conspiracy theory has been discussed on several internet conspiracy theory and [[urban legend]] websites.<ref name=Snopes1>[http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp Kiss My Aspartame]. False. [[Snopes.com]]</ref><ref name=Snopes2>[http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/antpoison.asp The World's Best Ant Poison]. False. [[Snopes.com]]</ref><ref name=urbanlegends/> Although most of her allegations contradict the bulk of medical evidence,<ref name=Hawaii/> this email started spreading over the world as a [[chain email]] since mid-December 1998,<ref name=urbanlegends/> leaving traces on many websites, such as those citing an association between aspartame and systemic [[lupus]].<ref name=Snopes1/> It has become an [[urban legend]] that continues to scare consumers.<ref name=Hawaii/> |
Since December 1998, misleading and inaccurate information about aspartame started spreading on the Internet.<ref name=urbanlegends>[http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blasp.htm Aspartame Warning] [[About.com]] - the Nancy Markle chain email.</ref> <ref name=Hawaii>[http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/FST-3.pdf Falsifications and Facts about Aspartame] - An analysis of the origins of aspartame disinformation, by the University of Hawaii</ref>, based on an email signed "Nancy Markle", allegedly based on Markle's talks at the "World Environmental Conference".<ref name=urbanlegends/> According to the [[Media Awareness Network]], Markle does not appear to exist, and investigators suspect that the real author of the email was anti-aspartame [[activism|activist]] Betty Martini, who posted a host of similar messages to Usenet newsgroups in late 1995 and early 1996.<ref name=urbanlegends/> She believes that there is a conspiracy between the FDA and the producers of aspartame.<ref name=MAN_Markle/> This conspiracy theory has been discussed on several internet conspiracy theory and [[urban legend]] websites.<ref name=Snopes1>[http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp Kiss My Aspartame]. False. [[Snopes.com]]</ref><ref name=Snopes2>[http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/antpoison.asp The World's Best Ant Poison]. False. [[Snopes.com]]</ref><ref name=urbanlegends/> Although most of her allegations contradict the bulk of medical evidence,<ref name=Hawaii/> this email started spreading over the world as a [[chain email]] since mid-December 1998,<ref name=urbanlegends/> leaving traces on many websites, such as those citing an association between aspartame and systemic [[lupus]].<ref name=Snopes1/> It has become an [[urban legend]] that continues to scare consumers.<ref name=Hawaii/> |