Until now DDT could very well be considered the biggest environmental disaster to date. DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, reportedly induced cancer in animals, induced antiandrogen effects, and impaired Natural Killer cells and T lymphocyte responses (Daniels et al. 2002). But now estrogen mimics confront the environment with a potentially greater catastrophe. Estrogen mimics, or xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens), are introduced into the body from the environment, mimic the actions of estrogen produced cells or alter the hormone's activity (Davis and Bradlow, 1995). Some of the foreign estrogens can reduce the effects of estrogens. These xenoestrogens are usually found in plant foods such as soy products, cauliflower and broccoli (Davis and Bradlow, 1995).There is significant evidence that the endocrine systems of fi ...view middle of the document...
In 1938, British scientist Edward Dodds introduced a chemical that somehow acted in the body like a natural estrogen. This "wonder drug", know as diethylstilbestrol or DES, was almost immediately given to women experiencing problems while giving birth in the belief that insufficient estrogen levels caused miscarriages and premature births. DES was thought to have many other uses as well such as, to treat acne, prostate cancer, and gonorrhea in children. However future studies proved that this so called "wonder drug" made no difference in the outcome of pregnancies. It didn't cause fewer miscarriages, fewer premature babies, or fewer infant deaths. In fact, a later analysis of this same data concluded the DES had caused increases in these negative effects in the birthing process (Colborn et al., 1997).The over all effects of estrogen mimics on animals is a very serious issue. Once to be thought of as a "wonder drug" is now proven to be a very dangerous threat to the environment.Literature CitedColborn, Dumanoski, and Myers. 1997. Our Stolen Future. Chapter 4 "Hormone Havoc." pp 47-57.Daniel, Volker; Huber, Wolfgang; Bauer, Klausdieter; Suesal, Caner; Conrad, Christian; Oplez, Gerhard. Archives of Environmental Health. Nov.-Dec. 2002 v57 i6 pp541. Associations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) 4.4 and dichlorodiplenyldichloroethylene (DDE) 4.4 blood levels with plasma.Davis, Derva lee and Bradlow, H. Leon. Scientific American Oct. 1995 v273 n4 pp166. Can Environmental Estrogens Cause Breast Cancer?Buhler, Donald R.; Miranda, Cristobal L.; Henderson, Marilyn C.; Yang, Yea-Huey; Lee, Su-Jun; Wang-Buhler, Jun-Lan. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 2000 pp91-101. Effects of 17beta-Estradiol and Testosterone on Hepatic mRNA/Protein Levels and Catalytic Activities of CYP2M1, and CYP3A27 in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
