In relation to Mitchell’s previous post, I often find it hard to discuss the case for or against “natural” substances, since the distinction between what is “natural” and what is “artificial” is an entirely imaginary construct.

While we as humans have advanced a great deal in our understanding of science and technology we’re nevertheless very, very far from deities and are thus still bound by the laws of conservation of mass and energy.  Simply put, it is virtually impossible to create matter or energy out of nothing.  We can, of course, synthesize materials and substances, though this process by its very definition involves the changing of one existing substance into another.  One might make the case, therefore, that synthesized materials are thus “artificial” as they would not exist without human intervention.

This, however, remains a faulty and useless method of distinction.  Processes of synthesis such as photosynthesis occur in nature just as well as in science labs.  Carbon dioxide, for example, will consist of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms whether it were ‘artificially’ synthesized by the combination of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and acetate (vinegar) or it were a byproduct of the ‘natural’ process of cell respiration.  Chemically, there is absolutely no measurable difference between any two molecules of the same type regardless of their source.  Any claim to the contrary is utter nonsense, and one that goes against the very core of chemistry and physics.

Normally I’d leave it there, but, well, I’ll play along.  Under the assumption that there is indeed a tangible, concrete distinction between the natural and the artificial there remains the argument that what is “natural,” or what is otherwise produced by ‘Mother Earth’ is inherently beneficial to all life, whereas the artificial is harmful or toxic.  In response to this absurd perception, provided below is a very short list of compounds produced by nature that are poisonous and even deadly to human beings:

• Phytohaemagglutinin
  • Found in Kidney Beans.
  • Can cause nausea, severe vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Urushiol
  • Found in Poison Ivy/Oak, Ginko Biloba and Mango skin
  • Epidermal contact: Severe itching, burning, and blistering of the skin.
• Patulin
  • Produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium Bacterium (Commonly found in moldy Apples)
  • Suspected of being a mutagenic and carcinogen.
• Brevetoxin
  • Produced by marine algae such as Phytoplankton (Occurs in large quantities upon the event of a Red Tide)
  • Highly toxic to marine wildlife and humans.
• Aflatoxin
  • Produced by various fungii
  • In 2004, 125 Kenyans died from consuming maize contaminated with aflatoxin.
• Solanine/Chaconine
  • Found in Potatoes
  • Can cause headaches, diarrhea, cramps, coma, and death.
• Tetrodotoxin
  • Produced by Fugu puffer fish
  • Deadly to humans, there exists no known antidote.
• Stonustoxin/Trachynilysin/Cardioleputin
  • Produced by Stone Fish
  • Can cause paralysis, necrosis and death.
• Ibotenic Acid
  • Found in Toadstool Mushrooms
  • Can cause hallucinogenic effects and death.
• Sapotoxin
  • Found in Aloe, Asparagus, Beets, Lilies of the Valley, Soap plants, and various other flora
  • Injection: Can cause hemolytic anemia.
• Myristicin
  • Found in Nutmeg
  • Large doses can cause convulsions, palpitations, nausea, hallucinogenic effects, coma, and death.
• Ricin
  • Found in Castor Beans.
  • Can cause severe diarrhea, shock, and death.
• Hydrogen Cyanide
  • Found in Cherry, Apricot, Almond and Apple Pits
  • Causes comas, seizures, apnea, cardiac arrest, and death.
• Far too many carcinogens to name (19 in total)
  • Found in Tobacco
  • Can cause cancer, stroke, bronchitis, birth defects and impotence.