Chemicals R Us
August 9, 2005 – 9:46 amA while back I reviewed and praised Deborah Rudacille’s book, The Riddle of Gender: Science, Activism and Transgender Rights. I raved about her conclusion where she argues that the rise of transsexualism may be linked to increased chemicals in our environment.
Now USA Today asks: Are Our Products Our Enemy?
EDCs may play a role in increased rates of testicular and breast cancers.
Environmental clean-up is a good thing. But not if it is at my expense nor if people like me are used to underscore the horrors of environmental degradation.
I don’t know quite how to address the possibility that we trannies and intersex folks exist because of the law of unintended consequences.
2 Responses to “Chemicals R Us”
Hi Jay and readers–I just happened to drop by today and saw the reference to the Riddle of Gender and research on endocrine disruptors. Coincidentally, I am working on an afterword for the paperback edition of the book, which will be published in Feb. 2006. I want to bring the science up to date–a few very important studies have been published since I finished the research for the book and I want to at least mention them.
One of the other things I want to do in the afterword is related to the point you’ve made here. First, all the evidence suggests that gender variance, neurological intersex, whatever you want to call it occurs NATURALLY and through biological mechanisms that we are only just beginning to understand.
However, given what we are learning about the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on fetal development, it also seems that the PREVALENCE of various intersex conditions (e.g. hypospadias) is increasing. Whether this a good thing, a bad thing, or a neutral fact is open to debate I guess. But it is important to at least consider the effects of endocrine disruption on the reproductive success of wildlife populations.
The alligators of Lake Apopka serve as a prime example.
Population decline might not seem a very pressing problem right now, but if current trends continue, the long term effects could be quite striking. Again, whether that’s a good thing, a bad thing, or a neutral fact depends on your point of view.
Deborah Rudacille
By Deborah Rudacille on Aug 17, 2005
Deborah,
Thanks for your clarification. I look forward to reading your afterword.
Regards,
Jay
By Jay Sennett on Aug 18, 2005