The Unhealthy Truth

May 15, 2009
When OBrien discovers that her third child has unexpectedly experienced a frightening allergic reaction, she commences an investigation to find out just what has set off this life-threatening episode. As she finds out, childhood allergies are apparently more common than ever before, and medical science has only barely begun to deal with what OBrien feels sure is an epidemic. Moreover, the field of study of childrens allergies is so new that even experts cannot yet agree on a common approach to treatment, leaving parents bewildered. OBrien blames many causes for the current situation: government, industry, agriculture, and a scientific community that doesnt always respond with the clarity, consistency, and urgency people might wish. OBrien is especially averse to the environmental implications of genetically modified organisms and wants all such threats to traditional agriculture stricken until, if ever, they can be proven benign.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)