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'Gender-bending' chemicals found to 'feminise' boys
New Scientist ^ | 27 May 2005 | Andy Coghlan

Posted on 11/14/2006 2:52:56 PM PST by Lorianne

“Gender-bending” chemicals mimicking the female hormone oestrogen can disrupt the development of baby boys, suggests the first evidence linking certain chemicals in everyday plastics to effects in humans.

The chemicals implicated are phthalates, which make plastics more pliable in many cosmetics, toys, baby-feeding bottles and paints and can leak into water and food.

All previous studies suggesting these chemicals blunt the influence of the male hormone testosterone on healthy development of males have been in animals. “This research highlights the need for tougher controls of gender-bending chemicals,” says Gwynne Lyons, toxics adviser to the WWF, UK. Otherwise, “wildlife and baby boys will be the losers”.

The incriminating findings came from a study of 85 baby boys born to women exposed to everyday levels of phthalates during pregnancy. It was carried out by Shanna Swan at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, US, and colleagues.

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, mainly because in boys the hormone testosterone extends the length of the perineum separating the anus from the testicles.

(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: feminisation; phthalates; science
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To: Lorianne
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?

21 posted on 11/14/2006 3:23:06 PM PST by doodad
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To: Lorianne
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

22 posted on 11/14/2006 3:23:26 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Those who call their fellow citizens Sheeple are just ticked they were not chosen as Shepherds)
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To: Jaysun
"soy does what this article claims plastic does"

So is that why vegans tend to be wusses?

23 posted on 11/14/2006 3:24:37 PM PST by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: Lorianne
In a similar vein
24 posted on 11/14/2006 3:26:31 PM PST by Vaquero ("An armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: VRWCmember

LOL!


25 posted on 11/14/2006 3:28:10 PM PST by Mamzelle (Make your own bed, Mrs. Snow.)
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To: Lorianne

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

Holy crap!!!!


26 posted on 11/14/2006 3:28:19 PM PST by HEY4QDEMS (Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
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To: MadIvan
LOL! Apparently in Parliament as well, judging from recent statements made by your Tories.
27 posted on 11/14/2006 3:30:15 PM PST by lesser_satan (EKTHELTHIOR!!!)
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To: Jaysun
They need to look at soy. I've seen several studies that suggest that soy does what this article claims plastic does.

Ban Tofu!

28 posted on 11/14/2006 3:30:35 PM PST by Rio (Don't make me come over there....)
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To: Lorianne

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!


29 posted on 11/14/2006 3:32:29 PM PST by petitfour
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To: Lorianne

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...


30 posted on 11/14/2006 3:32:56 PM PST by TheBattman (I've got TWO QUESTIONS for you....)
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To: Lorianne

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

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


31 posted on 11/14/2006 3:38:35 PM PST by Frank Sheed (Tá brón orainn. Níl Spáinnis againn anseo.)
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To: Lorianne

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.


32 posted on 11/14/2006 3:38:49 PM PST by khnyny (God Bless the Republic for which it stands)
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To: Vaquero
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

33 posted on 11/14/2006 3:44:10 PM PST by holden
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To: Lorianne

phthalates - the San Francisco treat.


34 posted on 11/14/2006 3:49:23 PM PST by Mark (REMEMBER: Mean spirited, angry remarks against my postings won't feed even one hungry child.)
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To: Lorianne

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

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


35 posted on 11/14/2006 3:50:23 PM PST by diverteach
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To: khnyny
It was first published in '96 and is actually a very good read.full of unproven crap.

There, I fixed it for you.

36 posted on 11/14/2006 3:50:48 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Those who call their fellow citizens Sheeple are just ticked they were not chosen as Shepherds)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

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


37 posted on 11/14/2006 3:55:47 PM PST by khnyny (God Bless the Republic for which it stands)
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To: MadIvan

"Do you like...gladiator movies?"

38 posted on 11/14/2006 3:59:20 PM PST by sayfer bullets ("....man's got to know his limitations" - Dirty Harry)
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To: khnyny
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.

39 posted on 11/14/2006 4:01:19 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Those who call their fellow citizens Sheeple are just ticked they were not chosen as Shepherds)
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To: doodad

LOL. I think you're right.


40 posted on 11/14/2006 4:02:37 PM PST by Lorianne
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