In the 1990s reported autism cases among American children began spiking. This trend coincided with the addition of several new shots to the nation's already crowded vaccination schedule, grouped together and given in the early months of infancy. Most of these shots contained the preservative thimerosal, which includes a quantity of the toxin mercury. This book explores the heated controversy over what many have called an "epidemic" of afflicted children....

Massive fish kills from flesh-eating parasites. Unusual concentrations of cancer and other diseases. Recalls of meats, vegetables, and fruits because of deadly E-coli bacterial contamination. Recent public health crises raise urgent questions about how our animal-derived food is raised and brought to market. This book is about our American food system gone terribly wrong--and the people who are fighting to restore sustainable farming practices and...