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Theo Colborn

Senior Scientist
World Wildlife Fund
Washington, DC


Endocrine Disruption -- It's Time for a Shift in Mindset -- From Sex to Thyroid Hormones
Guest Lecture for Fall 1999 Graduate Seminar [CANCELLED]:  
Hormones, Behavior & Endocrine Discrupting Chemicals in the Environment


ABSTRACT:
 Many synthetic chemicals once considered benign are now an integral part of the global ecosystem and pose a threat to the development and function of those exposed in the womb or the egg. It is impossible to find humans and wildlife anywhere on earth that are not carrying complex mixtures of these chemicals in their body tissues. These chemicals look like and/or interfere with signals from hormones, neurotransmitters, inhibiting substances, growth factors, and other natural messengers that control development and physiological processes throughout life. The mother serves as the major source for the chemicals to the embryo, fetus, and newborn through her blood and breast milk. Extremely low concentrations of the synthetic chemicals during critical windows of time throughout early development can irreversibly change the architecture of the endocrine, immune, nervous, and reproductive systems in the offspring. The effects may not be obvious at birth but can be expressed as loss of function later in life. Recent human studies support a relationship between effects on the reproductive system, immune competency, intelligence, and behavior at or below daily levels of exposure. These effects may be overlooked until widespread dysfunction is measurable at the population level. Currently, there are no screens or assays to test chemicals for these effects. Described as endocrine disruptors, the body of research growing from the study of these chemicals has led to the realization that the thyroid economy may be more sensitive to endocrine disruption than sexual development or reproductive success. This has also led to new concepts concerning product design, risk, and public policy. Recent discoveries from human, wildlife, and laboratory research will be presented.
 

RELATED READING:
 Our Stolen Future
Colburn, T., D. Dumanoski and J.P. Myers. 1997. Our Stolen Future. Penguin Books, paper back edition.

Colborn, T., F.S. vom Saal and A.M. Soto. 1993. Developmental effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans. Environmental Health Perspectives 101:378-384.



RELATED ONLINE RESOURCES:

WWF: Endocrine Disruptors Reading List
World Wildlife Fund: A Toxic Free Future  |  Endocrine Disruptors
Dr. Colborn's Plenary Address, State of the World Forum (1997)
National Academy of Sciences Report on Hormone Disruptors (1999)

 

OTHER FALL 1999 SPEAKERS:   David Crews   .  Lou Guillette   .  Victor Apanius   .  Fred vom Saal  

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