Instead, we have the strongest scientific confirmation yet of the gender-bending properties, not just for fish and amphibians, but also for Homo sapiens, of common pesticides, herbicides, plastics softeners and other chemicals.
The list of “gender-benders” includes include phthalates, used in food wrapping, cosmetics and baby powders among other applications; flame retardants in furniture and electrical goods; PCBs, a now banned group of substances still widespread in food and the environment; and many pesticides.
Here’s the nut grafs of the report:
“Males of species from each of the main classes of vertebrate animals (including bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) have been affected by chemicals in the environment.
“Feminisation of the males of numerous vertebrate species is now a widespread occurrence. All vertebrates have similar sex hormone receptors, which have been conserved in evolution. Therefore, observations in one species may serve to highlight pollution issues of concern for other vertebrates, including humans.”
In other mammalian species, undescended testicles, reduced-size penises, reduced sperm count, and even hermaphrodism in polar bears with Y chromosomes have all been detected.
Will the world’s industrial nations listen? The United Kingdom is already digging in its heels against regulatory action within the EU.
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