Team:Macquarie Australia/Practices/Mythbusters
Chlorophyll Mythbusters
The chlorophyll molecule is a major component of the photosynthetic pathway and our iGEM project. In developing our business implementation strategy and discussing the project with members of the public, we realised that there is significant public discourse about chlorophyll and that this may influence the reception of our project. We wanted to comprehend the narrative around chlorophyll and identify ways in which we can influence public perception to encompass properties of the molecule that relate to how we intend to utilise it.
Through our research we’ve found that the media positions chlorophyll as a natural and potent way to treat a variety of ailments and encourages its ingestion via concentrated supplements.
In an attempt to present the health claims as scientifically legitimate, the findings of peer reviewed journals are often misrepresented.
The infographic below details the exaggerated claims made by websites regarding chlorophyll and contrasts them with the actual findings of the journals referenced.
