An article in the British newspaper The Independent declares, "The world is facing a growing threat from new diseases that are jumping the human-animal species barrier as a result of environmental disruption, global warming, and the progressive urbanization of the planet."
"The author plays on our fear of 'swine flu' and says we're in danger because we're getting closer to animals," says ACSH's Jeff Stier. "It's a catch-all for all diseases and all environmental sins, and it's as if they want us to solve these problems by ending globalization. It's bizarre, but this is how scares start."
"Scarier still is the fact that the author of these outlandish 'back-to-nature': assertions is with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross. "I thought at first that these were the ramblings of a crank. Was I surprised!"
