Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Refereed journal article reading is an important part of science literacy. Case in point: Allergies, Asthma and Schools... Here's a book to read.

Refereed journal article reading is an important part of science literacy. Case in point: Allergies, Asthma and Schools... Here's a book to read.
Want one parent's viewpoint on reading journal articles, which concurrently explains basic biology and genetic engineering? Try reading The Unhealthy Truth: How our Food is making us Sick and What We can do about It, by Robyn O'Brien [and] Rachel Kranz (Broadway Books (Random House), New York. 2009).

What started out as one mother's quest to better her child's chance of survival, is contributing to safety for all children, while explaining science every parent, every person, needs to know. Believe me, when you want to save your child (and also happen to save our children), the journal articles no longer seem difficult. If you are not convinced that reading the peer-reviewed journal articles, the refereed articles, isn't an important science literacy skill to which young people to at least be exposed, and adults should learn, then, read this book. You will learn things to help your own health and survival...and, you will likely gain the desire to read refereed journals on topics where you have a need to know.

Examples of topics where you might have a need to know: the effects of the medicines your parents are getting, why haldol is still prescribed in the USA while the government advises third world countries not to use it unless no other drug is available, what medicines (routinely given to seniors) mimic Alzheimer's, how melatonin re-sets sleeping patterns (jet lag, shift workers, seniors in nursing homes), what medicines given to seniors make them unable to swallow (resulting in feeding tubes), about thoraxic outlet syndrome and swimmers, among other need-to-know topics.

I'd read a few journal articles to save a loved parent from a "mimic dying" state or keep my child safe while eating or playing sports. I'd read journal articles to save my child's life or lengthen mine.

O'Brien's book will convince you about the importance of evaluating sources as a part of science literacy. I recommend this book for adults, who may or may not choose to share all or part of it with their child(ren).

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