well... the science was not at the same stage as today, but hitler managed to get german people brainwashed... Marat, Robespier (spelling?) of french revolution???... doctor Guiliom creates guiliotine and his own head rolls off... did they have the technology back then? probably not, but they still managed to do same things that are being done today...
my greatgrandfather lived off land in the hills of mount ararat in turkey, kebobed lamb, the fattier the better and drunk wine and water from the creek... died of old age but not before fathering last kid at 65... and seeing him grow too... maybe he died from cancer... maybe not...
i think you point about food chain being poisoned is right on spot... other points about brain... well... you are giving the rich too much credit they don't deserve.. lol...