Deborah Blum, UW alumna and author of this year’s Go Big Read selection "The Poison Squad," engaged students on scientific and governmental standpoints of her work Tuesday.
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank introduced Blum, outlining reasons why she chose "The Poison Squad" as the 2019-’20 Go Big Read book.
“It is a book that shows just how important science can be in shaping policy,” Blank said. “The book chronicles this clash between science, business and politics that seems particularly relevant today as we face a strong anti-science movement that influences popular opinion.”
Blum outlined the process leading to two major food and drug safety laws being passed in June 1906, pointing to chemist Harvey Wiley’s experiments as integral in bringing about shifts to governmental regulations.
“Without Dr. Wiley’s persistence, scientific skill and political savvy, our world would be less safe,” Blank said. “The book reminds us that we do have agency as human beings. Our actions and our involvement in the issues of the world can make a difference.”
According to Blum, what started as an objective scientific inquiry morphed into a much more personal crusade for Wiley.
“He thought that the American food supply was really, physically hurting the people,” Blum said. He was a Holy Roller kind of chemist … he had been raised with this idea of science as a service for good.”
Blank also picked the book since it outlined the importance of useful government regulation.
“It’s a book that demonstrates what useful government regulation looks like,” Blank said. Too often today, there is a knee-jerk reaction against any government involvement. This book demonstrates why laws and regulations are sometimes needed for our health and safety.”
Blum ended her presentation with cautionary words relating to the state of food safety today.
“At the moment, we have a safety system in place,” Blum said, referring to the CDC’s estimate that 3,000 people each year die from food-related causes. “At this moment, we are also undoing that protective system in some substantive ways.”
