DEAR DR. FOX: I submitted some questions to ChatGPT on topics that you write about, and I would like your response to the answers it generated. Here is what I asked:

-- Does human meat consumption harm wildlife and biodiversity?

-- What is the meaning of One Health and how is it put into practice?

-- Can dogs' diets be plant-based?

-- Do killing contests work to control predators?

-- Are wolves positive for the environment?

-- Which animal is more dangerous for children: dogs or coyotes?

I did not edit any of the answers. -- P.S., San Francisco

DEAR P.S.: My initial response is that these answers (included in your email, but not published here) are all plagiarized from my own writings on these issues! And the chatbot got at least one point wrong: To your question "Can dogs' diets be plant-based?", the AI's response states, "Dogs with certain medical conditions such as pancreatitis or kidney disease may require a specialized diet that is not plant-based." On the contrary, a plant-based diet for dogs may help prevent pancreatitis and kidney disease! (For details, see this post on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/health-benefits-of-vegan-dog-food.)

I do not mind being upstaged or even replaced by AI, provided this new technology is put to good use. These chatbots could be a quick source of information for all of us, and they could help set students on the path of searching for original reference citations.

While I am concerned about the misuse of AI, as with every technology, I do not share the fear-mongering technophobia displayed by some. My concerns include the energy needed for data storage and transmission, along with the associated electropollution hazards. The precautionary principle should not be overridden by the profit motive or other means and ends, especially for disinformation purposes.

Also, the interfacing of the human bioelectrical field with the electrical fields of AI delivery, monitoring, surveillance and diagnostic systems raises health and safety issues that need to be addressed. Some forms of nonionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields can affect physiology, brain function, development and behavior. (For details, see drfoxonehealth.com/post/electropollution-existential-threat-to-public-health-and-life-on-earth.)

Humans' self-anointed title of Homo sapiens, or "Man the wise," speaks to our arrogance, which AI may help rectify. Intelligence is universal -- in every living cell and all our relationships.

Human freedom and justice and animal liberation will come when we unshackle ourselves from human-centered religious fundamentalism and imperialism. We must also jettison the persecuting judgment of moralists, the materialism of wealth-worshippers and the arrogance of scientific determinism. All of these contribute to what I call empathy-deficit disorder.

Empathic sensitivity is our best template and foundation for bioethical sensibility, which could be incorporated into the emergent properties of self-learning AI. As I detail in my book "Bringing Life to Ethics," this can lead us to embrace equalitarianism and reverential respect for all life, not just human life. Our emotional intelligence will help ensure the benefits of AI outweigh the risks, and help support the bioethical basis for the philosophy of One Health.

DUBIOUS PROMOTION OF RISKY ANTI-PARASITE DRUG

During a recent episode of Stephen Colbert's "Late Show," I was disturbed to see actress Jennifer Garner cuddling puppies to promote their adoption -- in front of a sign promoting Simparica Trio. The sign included the statement, "Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures."

In actuality, even dogs without "a history of seizures" can start having them after being given this product from Zoetis pharmaceutical company. One of the ingredients is a neonicotinoid that can cause seizures in dogs. Many dog owners using these products have reported to me that their dogs became more fearful, anxious and even aggressive when on these medications, and that these behavioral changes were resolved when treatments were discontinued.

Neonicotinoids are also linked to the drastic decline in bees and other beneficial insects around the world. There is concerning evidence from the U.K. of rivers being contaminated with these products and killing the life therein. These substances are also used in similar products like Nexgard, all of which should be prohibited.

I wish that veterinarians in every country would follow the protocol of Danish veterinarians, who are not allowed to prescribe parasite treatments without a positive diagnosis or a justifiable, documented suspicion that an individual animal has a parasitic disease that needs treatment. The profit-driven incentive to overprescribe is removed when veterinarians are not allowed to supply these products themselves, but rather must send a prescription to an external pharmacy.

Overprescription of these products is the norm in most countries, putting dogs, wildlife and the environment at risk. The medicines are often unwarranted, even being used when certain parasites are out of season. All of this is driven by consumer/pet owner fear -- and the significant revenue stream for veterinary providers and profit for drug manufacturers. This is not to discount the contribution of climate change, which has increased the spread of some disease-transmitting insects such as ticks and mosquitoes. But for many dogs, especially those who have had seizures with these kinds of preventive parasiticides, a wiser, safer choice would be a natural and effective insect repellant spray. This and other preventive measures are detailed on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/preventing-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitoes.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: One of my wife's clients had adopted a nice whippet, named Carly, last year. This lady rescues dogs and gets them here to Belgium to start a new life. She had about eight dogs at the time, a big field for them to play in, etc.

Her daughter is a vet tech at a local practice. The dog was given NexGard last year and ended up with seizures. She knew our dog Obi's story -- he developed seizures on NexGard Spectra, which the local vets dismissed as the cause -- and asked how we had treated him. (His treatment was thanks to you and some other holistic veterinarians with whom we consulted.)

Despite all advice given from our side and pointing out the danger of these products, the vet practice urged this lady to bring Carly in for the next round of flea/tick drugs earlier this month. The dog was given Simparica about two weeks ago. Last week, the owner reached out to us saying Carly had started over with more seizures, despite the Keppra/phenobarbital she was still taking.

This morning, we've been informed she had to let Carly go over the rainbow bridge as vets told her she probably had a brain tumor, hence the massive seizures. No questions on the pesticide intake.

I just have no words for this. It makes me angry -- both on the vets' knowledge and continuing taking these risks, ignoring warnings, and some pet owners not questioning anything. -- D.A., Antwerp, Belgium

DEAR D.A.: I think that so many vets around the world have been brainwashed by Big Ag, by the pet food industry and by Big Pharma. These institutions influence vets' training, and vets must objectively examine their curriculum content. The focus should be on animal behavior, animal welfare and rights; holistic and integrative preventive medicine and nutrition; and the human-animal bond. There is no place for profit-driven and cognitively challenged minds in any of the healing professions or the arts, humanities and sciences.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, when I was giving talks advocating animals' rights and holistic health, I faced sudden cancellations of speeches on some college campuses, removal of my books at local bookstores, even police security at some presentations to farming organizations!

Most veterinarians do not wish to become involved in politics, whether local, national or global. But I believe they have much they could contribute.

COALITION'S EARTH DAY RALLY INSPIRES ACTION

Earth Animal is a leader in the pet industry in sustainability. To help focus its attention on creating meaningful change through actions big and small, the company supported the Pet Sustainability Coalition's (PSC) 30-day Earth Day Rally all April. By taking microactions that take between two and 20 minutes, Earth Animal's hope is to motivate its employees and participants from other companies to have an impact now, lay the groundwork for long-term improvements and be inspired to carry these simple actions into their day-to-day lives. For details, go to petsustainability.org.

The PSC's community of more than 200 companies offers measurable proof that through education, tools and sharing best practices, improvement is possible. Not only that, but when done well, sustainability creates stronger and healthier businesses. PSC members take action year-round to earn consumer trust little by little, but this April, the pet industry had a bigger and bolder opportunity to claim its place as an active participant in the global shift toward sustainable business practices.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: According to a study published in March in the journal Science, zebra fish become afraid when they see other members of their species in distress. This fear mirroring is regulated by oxytocin: Fish that lack the genes to produce and absorb the hormone fail to detect others' anxiety but regain the ability when they receive an oxytocin injection. Oxytocin has the same effect in mice and is known to affect humans' social responses.

Oxytocin is the "bonding" hormone we humans associate with the subjective feeling of love toward others and is elevated when we hug our dogs -- in both us and our dogs! It's likely that the oxytocin empathy mechanism evolved many millions of years ago, before fish and mammals diverged on the tree of life.

This is groundbreaking research that advances our understanding of animal sentience (although I am not an advocate of such genetic engineering to selectively knock out specific genes in animals). I have always felt that catching fish on a hook is cruel and that there is no nobility in catch-and-release fishing. Like earthworms, fish have opiate pain-responsive neurochemistry when injured. Many hooked-and-released fish die from the stress and injuries. Why make any animal suffer in the name of sport? And what of the live bait skewered on the hooks?

For more insights about fish and helping in their conservation, visit fishfeel.org.

BEES ARE SENTIENT CREATURES, TOO!

Entomologist Stephen Buchmann's book, "What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees," shows that bees have sophisticated emotions resembling optimism, frustration, fear and playfulness. Experiments have demonstrated bees can experience PTSD-like symptoms. Also, they can recognize different human faces, process long-term memories while sleeping, and maybe even dream. Young bees, through observation, learn how to dance from older bees to convey where to go to collect pollen, and the buzz of bees makes some flowers open for them.

DEAR DR. FOX: I eat mostly veggie foods, but sometimes meat. With the Jewish holiday of Passover recently happening, I would like to know your opinion of kosher meats: Are they better than non-kosher meats? Are the animals treated better? -- J.M., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR J.M.: I think we need to "pass over" all meat and seafood to help reduce climate change and loss of biodiversity. (For details, see drfoxonehealth.com/post/changing-diets-for-healths-and-earths-sake.) Consumers who wish to begin by being more selective can look for organically certified animal produce and see if there is any indication of the animals being raised humanely as per the Certified GAP.org, Animal Welfare Certified label. Earth Animals' Wisdom Dog foods have this label.

In my professional opinion, having witnessed ritual Jewish and Islamic animal slaughter, eating meat from these animals is not humane. For details, read this article on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/farmed-animal-slaughter-ritual-and-conventional.

DEAR DR. FOX: I would like your opinion about this project (article below) that fits cows with "intelligent" methane-monitoring masks. -- L.H., Cleveland, Ohio

From The Defender (childrenshealthdefense.org), March 20:

"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation this month awarded a $4.8 million grant to a company that sells 'smart' face masks for cows. ZELP, which stands for Zero Emissions Livestock Project, claims its artificial intelligence mask technology for livestock will reduce methane emissions -- considered to be a main greenhouse gas -- and curb climate change.

"Cows and other ruminant animals emit methane in the process of digesting their food. The mask goes around the cow's head and captures the methane gas exhaled by the animal, oxidizing it and then releasing it into the air as carbon dioxide and water vapor, according to ZELP. It also has sensors that continuously collect millions of data points on the animals that are processed by machine learning algorithms.

"'Our AI is trained to detect heat, flag welfare conditions, and identify the most efficient animals with a high-level of accuracy,' said a ZELP spokesperson."

DEAR L.H.: This is a classic example of potentially profitable "technofixes" like geoengineering and genetically engineered and patent-protected insect-, flood-, salt- and drought-resistant crops rather than addressing the central issues of climate change and biodiversity loss. This calls for many initiatives, and most especially for us to adopt plant-based whole-food diets as one significant corrective.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)