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 boys 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 ...
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?
The data does not support PIRGs 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 PIRGs 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 Swans 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 Swans key findings, and that there was no evidence, as yet, to consider the anogenital index a biomarker for phthalate-induced reproductive harm.
So is that why vegans tend to be wusses?
LOL!
Wow, so let me get this straight, we can use chemicals to create Democrats.
Holy crap!!!!
Ban Tofu!
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!
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...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalates
"Let me tell you one word, Ben. Plastics!"
The Graduate
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.
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
phthalates - the San Francisco treat.
".......baby-feeding bottles"
Now we now the real reason that breast fed babies turn into real men.
There, I fixed it for you.
Hmm, so you've read it then, lol?
"Do you like...gladiator movies?"
Just ask the National Academy of Science. Their study found no solid evidence for the assertions in the book.
LOL. I think you're right.
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