'Gender-bending' chemicals found to 'feminise' boys

New Scientist ^ | 27 May 2005 | Andy Coghlan

[doodad]

As an index of feminisation, she measured the “anogenital distance” (AGD) between the anus and to the base of the penis. She also measured the volume of each boy’s penis. Earlier studies have shown that the AGD is twice in boys what it is in girls

Umh, I would suggest that girls would win this not the guys. Since the girls AGD is essentially *infinity* since they don't have the subject organ. I assume some poor writing is to blame or is it lack of knowledge or am I missing something?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Not quite...

The data does not support PIRG’s argument

The PIRG report looked at two chemical groups of particular toxic concern – phthalates (which make plastic flexible) and PBDEs (flame retardants). Unfortunately (for PIRG), the report was published just as independent expert panels were demolishing some of PIRG’s key “evidence” for gloom, doom and greater regulation.

Under the heading “Phthalate exposure linked to reproductive defects” PIRG observed that “A recently published study by Dr. Shanna Swan and her colleagues reveals that normal exposure to phthalates can harm the genital development of unborn baby boys.”

As STATS first noted, this was not what the Swan study said at all (no baby boys showed evidence of harm); but even the suggestion that Swan’s study found some important and troubling link between phthalates and reproductive health was called into question when an independent expert panel under the auspices of the National Institutes for Health (NIH) announced that they were unable to validate one of Swan’s key findings, and that there was no evidence, as yet, to consider the anogenital index a biomarker for phthalate-induced reproductive harm.

link to the rest of the article

[who_would_fardels_bear]

"soy does what this article claims plastic does"

So is that why vegans tend to be wusses?

[Vaquero]

In a similar vein

[Mamzelle]

LOL!

[HEY4QDEMS]

Wow, so let me get this straight, we can use chemicals to create Democrats.

Holy crap!!!!

[lesser_satan]

LOL! Apparently in Parliament as well, judging from recent statements made by your Tories.

[Rio]

They need to look at soy. I've seen several studies that suggest that soy does what this article claims plastic does.

Ban Tofu!

[petitfour]

What in the world kind of study is this? They're measuring WHAT? I have four boys, and if some psycho doctor took out a tape measure and started measuring my baby boys' pee-pees, then I would have a cow. lol Pervert-sickos!

[TheBattman]

How long until the Homo-lobby find a way to slip a chemical like this into childhood immunization (at least for boys)? Sounds like their dream-come-true...

[Frank Sheed]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalates

"Let me tell you one word, Ben. Plastics!"
The Graduate

[khnyny]

There's a whole book on this subject, it's called "Our Stolen Future" by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski and John Peterson Myers. I only know about it, as I met one of the authors. It was first published in '96 and is actually a very good read.

[holden]

They neglected to control for the test's being done in Massachusetts! That could account for a whole host of reasons their testosterone was going down! Aren't the Cary and Kennedy examples enough evidence to make one immediately wonder?

That poor "French Smith" boy may have just been trying to overcome the environmental circumstances and proximity to all those liberals.

Is Boston College where BC specs were invented?

/ sarc

HF

[Mark]

phthalates - the San Francisco treat.

[diverteach]

".......baby-feeding bottles"

Now we now the real reason that breast fed babies turn into real men.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It was first published in '96 and is actually a very good read.full of unproven crap.

There, I fixed it for you.

[khnyny]

Hmm, so you've read it then, lol?

[sayfer bullets]

"Do you like...gladiator movies?"

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Borrowed it from the library and did a bit of checking. Major crap.

Just ask the National Academy of Science. Their study found no solid evidence for the assertions in the book.

[Lorianne]

LOL. I think you're right.