I so appreciate the statement from the NutraSweet web page:

"Formaldehyde has been implicated as a possible carcinogen when inhaled, but this hasn't been shown to be the case when its taken by mouth."

Barbara Mullarkey says NutraSweet's excuse is there's never been a study.  Can't you see it advertised:  "Needed: applicants for double blind medical study, to drink formaldehyde to determine its carcinogenicity.

Whether you drink alcohol or inject it;  you'll get just as drunk. Whether you drink formaldehyde, inject or breath it, you'll get just as dead.  By consuming low doses for years, constantly and continuously you just take longer to die, and you get to enjoy more misery: seizures, blindness, mock MS, migraines, perhaps diabetes, etc, but you'll finally be just as dead as if you drank a pint or so to begin with.  It sure makes undertaker's  work easier, less embalming, as one observed: "bodies come in with high contents of formaldehyde."

It's a fine idea to test formaldehyde as a libation, and I've got the solution. (pun) Since the executives at Monsanto/NutraSweet are unconvinced as to the toxicity of embalming fluid as a drink, let's test it ... on THEM!  Let's set up a study with Monsanto execs chug-a-lugging various concentrations for six months.  Say, 5 shots a day, about the consumption by some DietCoke/Pepsi/Equal/Slimfast/Aspartame addicts.  So we'll scientifically calibrate how much/long it takes to kill, blind or paralyze you. The matter will be settled.

To get the ball rolling on this ground-breaking [really!] experiement I pledge a 55 gallon drum of formaldehyde. I'll also donate a $50 casket spray for the gold medalist in the competition.  We could call it: THE NUTRAPOISON OLYMPICS. It's a little late, but we can ask the Olympic Committee to kick in for the coffins.  And we can invite the IAT, The International Association of Terrorists, to the Games, advising them that bombs will be unnecessary because the whole thing will be a killer. Only problem, 4 years from now the winners won't be able to defend their titles, but can be honoured by a moment of silence.

In fact, we could expand these Games to include any other poisons which haven't been drink-tested: Rattlesnake venom, Arsenic, Hydrogen Cyanide, Plutonium, Essence of Black Widow, Nightshade, etc.

Watch for Formaldehyde Olympics, part II.

Regards,
Betty

P.S. The Merck Manual says under formaldehyde: "This substance has been listed as a carcingen by the EPA."  Perhaps someone should notify Monsanto they might want the Merck rewitten since it is used with such authority. Oh, and the Merck says ingestion of formaldehyde causes death.  I guess its a moot point whether cancer develops.  We hope you will spread this information!