Thanks so much for chiming in for that well-balanced and well-reasoned post. :) It was refreshing to read! I hope you will stay and share some of your knowledge, especially if you can translate the more technical verbiage into layman's terms LOL! :)
RE: Aspartame - I think the entire scientific/medical community needs some mandatory classes in ethics, morals and integrity. They should have risen up in arms against ever allowing Aspartame into the common marketplace. Diet soda should have the same kind of warning that ciggies have.