The New China Syndrome

Concerned that this country's lackadaisical attention to our environment is a threat to the populace? Interested in forming a new society where human behavior is tightly regulated, so as to not upset the delicate balance of nature on this planet? Looking to grab a few more carbon offsets before jetting off to Venice for the summer?

Hey, that's great - you're a true soldier in this newest global war. Just think twice about relocating certain to socialist countries - if you value your life.

Beijing Blames Pollutants for Rise in Killer Cancers

Foul air, filthy water and contaminated soil have led to a surge of tumors in China, where cancer is the main cause of death, the state media reported yesterday. Raising fears that breakneck economic growth is having a dire impact on the nation's health, a government survey blamed pollution for a sharp rise in cancer cases.

In a ministry study of 30 cities and 78 counties, scientists found that air and water pollution - along with widespread use of pesticides and food additives - was to blame for the trend.

Chen Zhizhou, of a cancer research institute affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said the situation was getting worse. "Many chemical and industrial enterprises are built along rivers so that they can dump the waste into water easily," he told the China Daily. "Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides also pollute underground water. The contaminated water has directly affected soil, crops and food."

As reported in this story, cancer deaths are up 11 to 18% in China in a nine-year span from 1991 to 2000. Cancer is now number one in China. This is a tragedy beyond description in the making, and the Chinese are not the only ones at risk for disease acquired from the dubious safety measures used by industry there:

FDA Investigation of Imported Chinese Food Additives to Expand

Ministers from the Chinese government have denied that products from their country are unsafe, but talk is cheap. "Trust, but verify" should be the word here.

As China begins to join the community of nations its health problems are more transparent to both its people and outside observers. Hopefully this will spur the Party toward more responsible actions before headlines like this become a weekly affair:

"Drug Misuse Kills 200,000 Chinese a Year: Doctors""

Egad. There aren't enough doctors in the world to solve this problem. Someone needs to wake up the Chinese Minister of Health before the word "dystopia" acquires a new meaning.