Our Stolen Future - Term Paper Example

Biology Prof Topic: Environmental Paper- Our Stolen Future, Chapter 4 Hormone Havoc What happens to synthetic estrogen’s discovery to human health these days? This chapter discussed about the threat and disruption of medicinal interventions to hormonal balance. Authors used as bases in this assertion the experiments done in 1930s by British scientists which used female rats as objects of the study by injecting estrogen to pregnant rats. The experiment yielded information which demonstrates physical deformities that are evident in its internal and external physiology. Such experiment was conducted at a time while Brit scientist and physician Edward Charles Dodds presented diethylstilbestrol (DES), a man-made estrogen, as wonder drug that could help resolve the miscarriages and premature births. It was prescribed to 5 million pregnant women in major continents of the world, which was apparently thought of as massive experimentation of medicines' impact. It was later given to women as medicine preventive of miscarriage and was later publicized in 1957 as booster for babies. DES production and marketing expanded in broader areas as physicians prescribed the medicine to cease lactation after child's birth, as treatment for prostrate cancer, and for medication to acne, gonorrhea in children, and to suppress the growth of youths with towering heights. It later became a fattening agent for live stocks, such as chicken and cows. Researchers thereafter concluded that advancement of technologies can produce miracles by producing synthetic chemicals. For them, such breakthrough meant unending possibilities to tinker with the limitations of life. However, is the discovery and anent impact of synthetic medicines’ prescription scientifically carried out and are publicly known about? First, rats, as object of medical experiments does not totally represent the hormonal composition of human body, especially that of pregnant females. Second, scientists unconscientiously and unprofessionally introduced DES to the market and prescribed it practically to all pregnant women in major continents of the world and making use of them as experimental objects at the same time. Scientists grossly violated and disregarded the negative impact of massively experimenting pregnant women’s hormone because of the absence of solid proof about DES’ effectiveness before these are prescribed and made available in the market. Kramer (2011) pointed that the functions of human body and its adaptability to natural immunity to maintain better health depended on balance hormone. For instance, problems on prostrate and breast cancer arise due to hormonal issues. But the pervasive entry of synthetic chemicals in world market, which tinker on human hormones, has numerous studies which pointed that these are damaging to human health and to wildlife, the latter being used as objects of experimental tests and studies. Kramer (2011) said that DES is a synthetic estrogen which has a bad side too. Research proved that DES caused reproductive damages to minks fed with offal sourced from chicken subjected to DES treatment (p. 1). As a bad forecast, DES significantly impacted to children born from women who suffered disorders in reproduction as cancer became observable to these children when they reached teen age. Although DES was pulled out in the market in 1971, this was however continually used to fatten livestocks, e.g. poultry and cattle, in the 80s although this was replaced with similar kind of synthetic hormone-related medicines. Continuous exposure of human beings to these meats with DES may hinder body's reproductive capacity and natural processes on metabolism. Such negative and dangerous impact should be seriously. Kramer (2011) pointed that these problems could be handed down to succeeding generations subtly but with such devastating effects. DES and those of similar composition, such as estradiol, does not only affect women but men's natural hormonal balance, too. It does not potentially cause cancer but also damage genes (p. 1) although Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization asserted that hormone residues used to livestock could not cause carcinogenic effects. Kramer (2011) however criticized that WHO and FAO used outdated literatures as evidences. Kramer (2011) also pointed that many of the hormone implants were misplaced in other parts of the livestocks' body instead of injecting it near the ear skin (p. 1). Kramer (2011, p. 1) further bared that in 1950s, studies showed that of those who suffered cancers, 55% had breast cancer, 120% had testicular cancer and 190% for prostate cancer (p. 2). Other findings also reported that atrazine used as herb medications for corn production, can cause prostrate enlargement and decrease testosterone levels as well as mammary tumors to rats used as object of experiments (p. 2). To correct these experimental designs that have generational and far-reaching damages, all synthetic or chemical-based hormones should be pulled out from the market. FAO and WHO should educate people about the disastrous impact of these man-made hormones to human health and to unborn children. Krasmer (2011) had that similar negative impacts perceived on pesticides with organochlorides. People should realize that chemicals can't just be automatically removed from human body it can have tremendous effect to the immune system of all beings. These can come in a form of synthetic estrogen, pesticides, herbicides, and livestock booster. Considering the risks posed by these substances extolled as scientific breakthroughs, it is highly recommended to reconsider the adapting the following measures: a. Stop the subtle use of human beings as object of experimental designs. WHO and FAO should respect the sanctity of human beings and the rights of the unborn children from harm. While scientific breakthroughs are essentials, but there should be strong preferences to promote in the market those medicines that does not pose risks and does devastating impacts to civilizations. The primary mandate of scientific experiment is to reduce risks, prolong life and protect human beings from harm. But such experimental design that will cause danger to human beings should be stopped and those who’d pursue to extol synthetic drugs should be subjected to investigations and necessary charges. b. Educate people worldwide about the side effects and danger of synthetic medicines. In such a way, people can have informed decisions on the use of these medicines prescribed by their respective physicians. Education about human body should also be intensified so that both men and women are able to understand comprehensively about their respective biological make up and how genes affected their whole system (Sellman, 2010). Gene’s development has serious impact to respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and skeletal and digestive system. True, there are realities where women have suffered menstrual cycle’s problems, migraine, and other biological-related concerns. But there are also remedies which ruled out the necessity of resorting about the use of synthetic estrogen as an intervention. Medical researches, often constituted with patriarchal concepts, have viewed female body with mythical concepts. This can be illustrated with how market player popularized the concept that female hormonal imbalances are caused by excessive estrogen and not the lack or deficiency of it. Indeed as woman age, hormonal imbalances are inevitable. This condition is exacerbated by human lifestyles which disregarded the natural or biological system of human physiology. Some advocates of naturalism and fruit diet recommend the use of the herbs and fruits as elixir to promote good health (Seram, Schilman,, & Heber, 2006) c. Strengthen research that is more inclined and focused on production of medicines that are sourced from herbs and fruit extracts. Organically produced herbs and fruits are more helpful to strengthen the vital physiological parts of human body (Bennet, 2007). The same would also help fortify the immune system. In fact, nutritionists and dietician have shifted from the use of synthetic medicines to vegetarianism to reduce weight or to recover fast from illnesses. d. Advocate for vegetarianism (Vorvick, 2009). The history of human civilization proved that ancestors live life more than eight decades. There were those who excellently surpassed the age of hundreds by simply living the life of vegetarianism and renouncing meat as daily meal. Vegetables and fish remained the most effective source of nutrients, vitamins and proteins (Heird, 2007). Although they nee to source for other vitamins that can’t be extracted from vegetables, such as iron (Alley, 1995). Recent studies affirmed the vitality of many fruits with enzymes that can cure cancer. This is not new. Ancient non-medical practitioners have been too keen in observing the uses of herbs which had been transferred through generations. Modern advocates of this called this program as naturopathy for wellness and well-being. Technological advancement can help massively produce natural medicines for public use. e. WHO and FAO should prohibit the production of synthetic medicines and must prefer, support and develop mechanism that encourages pharmaceuticals to produce natural medicines. Policies should be made and stringent measures should be done to monitor the market on the circulation of synthetic drugs. References Colborn, Theo; Dumanoski, Dianne; and Peterson, & Myers, John Peterson (1997). Chapter 4 Hormone Havoc. In: Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence and Survival. New York America. Kramer, Shelley (2011) Hormone Havoc and how to bring them in Balance. Health Communications; Learn How to Have a Healthy Body and Home. Health Alternatives for Safety Conscious Product for Body and Home. http://www.healthy-communications.com/hormone%20havoc.htm Accessed: July 25, 2011. Sellman, Sherrill (2010) The Delicate Dance of Hormonal Balance: What Women Should Know? Pomegranate Health. New York, USA. Seram, N. P., Schilman RN., Heber, D. (2006). Pomegranate: Ancient Roots of Moden Medicine. Taylor & Francis. New York. Bennet, Bradley (2007). Doctrines of Signatures: An Explanation of Medical Plant Discovery or Dissemination of Knowledge? Economic Botany. 61 (3) pp. 246-255. Vorvick, Linda J., (2009) Vegetarianism. Medline Plus: Trusted Health Information for You. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002465.htm Accessed: July 26, 2011. Heird WC. (2007). Nutritional needs. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; Chap 41. Alley, Holly (1995) Vegetarianism. Athens, GA: University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service & Department of Food and Nutrition. http://www.fcs.uga.edu/pubs/current/FDNS-E-18.html Accessed: July 25, 2011. Read More