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Viewpoint leaves reader flushed
For the 25%-50% (the figures are variously reported in medical literature) of Chinese with Oriental Flushing Syndrome or Asian Glow, wine will not awaken the sleeping tiger (“China Waits for the Sleeping Tiger,” May 2011 issue.) Hundreds of millions of Chinese have a mutation in the gene for aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 isoenzyme, ALDH2, which is needed to metabolize alcohol.
ALDH2 is crucial to maintaining low blood levels of acetaldehyde (which is very toxic and carcinogenic) during ingestion of alcohol. High levels of acetaldehyde, which can be reached quickly with low amounts of alcohol ingestion in susceptible Chinese, causes facial and body flushing, heart palpitations, reduced blood pressure, nausea, headache, drowsiness and the symptoms associated with a hangover.
The Chinese with the ALDH2 mutation are at a significantly higher risk for esophageal and oropharyngolaryngeal cancers. Acetaldehyde, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals, is produced in saliva when drinking alcohol.
Although the potential market for wine sales among China’s newly affluent consumers is large, up to half the population who suffer from the Oriental Flushing Syndrome will limit wine drinking in the populace.
William (Rusty) Gaffney, M.D.
The PinotFile at princeofpinot.com
Tustin Hills, Calif.
‘There are no smoking guns’
I found the comments by Devin Jones and Sean White interesting in the article “Grapegrowers Accused in Fish Kill” (winesandvines.com Headlines May 10, 2011.) We (NOAA) have been nothing but upfront with all parties involved. There are no smoking guns, and we aren’t hiding them. NOAA took the initiative to bring all parties together three years ago in spearheading the Frost Protection Task Force.
At our initial meeting, which involved numerous resource agencies, vineyard managers and water agency reps (including Mr. White), we discussed the specifics concerning the 2008 Hopland fish kill.
We discussed the huge spike in flows, which everyone in attendance agreed was caused by frost pumping. The consensus at that meeting was unanimous; something had to be done. NOAA chose to use the collaborative approach rather than seek prosecutions.
When it was decided that there was a need to regulate water use, things changed dramatically, and now we are being criticized for our efforts to protect these fish. Funny how attitudes changed once the state water board decided to propose water use regulations. Nonetheless, our course won’t change.
Dan Torquemada
Assistant special agent in charge, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Law Enforcement
Santa Rosa, Calif.
ALDH2 is crucial to maintaining low blood levels of acetaldehyde (which is very toxic and carcinogenic) during ingestion of alcohol. High levels of acetaldehyde, which can be reached quickly with low amounts of alcohol ingestion in susceptible Chinese, causes facial and body flushing, heart palpitations, reduced blood pressure, nausea, headache, drowsiness and the symptoms associated with a hangover.
The Chinese with the ALDH2 mutation are at a significantly higher risk for esophageal and oropharyngolaryngeal cancers. Acetaldehyde, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals, is produced in saliva when drinking alcohol.
Although the potential market for wine sales among China’s newly affluent consumers is large, up to half the population who suffer from the Oriental Flushing Syndrome will limit wine drinking in the populace.
William (Rusty) Gaffney, M.D.
The PinotFile at princeofpinot.com
Tustin Hills, Calif.
‘There are no smoking guns’
I found the comments by Devin Jones and Sean White interesting in the article “Grapegrowers Accused in Fish Kill” (winesandvines.com Headlines May 10, 2011.) We (NOAA) have been nothing but upfront with all parties involved. There are no smoking guns, and we aren’t hiding them. NOAA took the initiative to bring all parties together three years ago in spearheading the Frost Protection Task Force.
At our initial meeting, which involved numerous resource agencies, vineyard managers and water agency reps (including Mr. White), we discussed the specifics concerning the 2008 Hopland fish kill.
We discussed the huge spike in flows, which everyone in attendance agreed was caused by frost pumping. The consensus at that meeting was unanimous; something had to be done. NOAA chose to use the collaborative approach rather than seek prosecutions.
When it was decided that there was a need to regulate water use, things changed dramatically, and now we are being criticized for our efforts to protect these fish. Funny how attitudes changed once the state water board decided to propose water use regulations. Nonetheless, our course won’t change.
Dan Torquemada
Assistant special agent in charge, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Law Enforcement
Santa Rosa, Calif.
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