Potatoes are the most chemically contaminated food you can buy in America.  They are sprayed with both insecticides and fungicides.  Even though these chemicals are known carcinogens, organic potatoes are often contaminated with molds that are far more carcinogenic.

Of course the far greater risk of cancer from potatoes is a result of the acrylamides that are formed when starches are heated past 140 degrees.  These result in a baked potato having an Ames Number of about 1100 ( a single cigarette registers a 1.24 on this scale ).  Recent studies have shown acrylamides to be the most common carcinogens found in human bodies.

Potatoes also contain a lectin that causes the mal-absorbtion and excretion of vitamin A.  The resulting deficiency was, until recently, the most common cause of blindness in the world. 

Potatoes may be eaten raw but only about 1% of the nutrients in them are available that state.  Ingestion of raw potatoes may also result in alkaloid poisoning.
From wikipedia;
"When potato tubers are exposed to light, they turn green and increase glycoalkaloid 
production. This is a natural defense to help prevent the uncovered 
tuber from being eaten. The green colour is from chlorophyll, and is itself harmless. However, it is an indication that increased level of solanine and chaconine may be present.Solanine poisoning is primarily displayed by gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, cardiac dysrhythmia, headache and dizziness. In more severe cases, hallucinations, loss of sensation, paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils, hypothermia and death have been reported."

Politically, potatoes have been used as a tool of oppression ever since the Incas forced conquered tribes to eat them as part of their surrender ceremonies.  The British later copied this stratagem when subjugating the Irish.

Ray Audette
NeanderThin