Our Stolen Future By Theo Colborn

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Recommended: Damaging effects of pesticides on the environment

Our Stolen Future is a book published in 1996, written by Theo Colborn that details the impact that atmospheric and ocean carried chemical containments have on the development and growth of organisms. This book completely changed the manner in which scientist approach the way in which they determine the impact to the environment due to chemical contamination. According to Our Stolen Future, the endocrine disruption hypothesis states that exogenous or synthetic chemicals can alter hormonal signals that are vital during growth and development. The chemicals mostly associated with endocrine disruption include: persistent organohalogens, certain pesticides, phthalates, heavy metals and alkylphenols. The premise of Theo Colborns’ research was to find the connection between the rising incidences of cancer and environmental contamination in the Great Lakes region. However, during field and laboratory studies, Colborn discovered that there was no direct link between the contamination and cancer. However, Colborn did find reoccurring patterns of abnormal behavior and deformed offspring amongst the wildlife populations in the Great Lakes region. Elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenls (PCBs), pesticides dieldrin, DDT, lindane and chlordane were found during tissue analysis of the wildlife in the Great Lakes region (Colborn et. Al 1996). These elevated levels were found in offspring of the wildlife who appeared to be healthy. This supported Colborns’ hypothesis that these contaminations disrupt hormones produced by the endocrine system during growth and development, which will then cause physical and behavioral abnormalities in the fetus. This prompted Colborn to change the focus of her research, and instead she decided to look for co... ... middle of paper ... ... may not show obvious, negative effects in the parent. Many critics, who have no scientific background, would argue that data collected by Theo Colborn and other scientist to test the endocrine disruption hypothesis cannot be used to explain persistent and latent issues in humans. However, this is not the case. From a cellular and molecular standpoint, there is no fundamental difference between any other animal and humans. This is especially true when it comes to the embryonic development of organism such as the chick, frog, rat, turtle, and human fetus as all appear similar and develop typically in the same manner as one another. For this reason, animals are continuously used as test subjects for products intended for use by humans. The processes by which we develop, how our immune systems responded to changes, and cells communicate are all essentially the same.

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