Our Stolen Future

Summary of Selection 32

Biochemically, humans are very similar to animals even if our appearance is very different. We have a common evoluationary legacy that closely links us. We also share a common environment whose natural systems provide us with life-support services. We have been polluting our environment with synthetic chemicals that have been stored up in our bodies over time, as well as many other animals because of our similar biology. Scientists have a good understanding of hormone-disrupting chemicals, and can forcast a threat to humans.

Hormone distrupting chemicals are more complicated than classic toxicology because sometimes very small doses produce the worst effects, while higher doses have no effect at all. This is worrisome because the risks may be severely underestimated if traditional testing methods are used. Scientists have noticed these hormone disruptors threatening the survival of the animal populations, and since we have a similiar biology we will have a similar fate. Our future is also jeapordized. We are likely already affected but the effects are hard to document and may take time to fully emerge (transgenerational effects).

We must heed the warnings that the animals are providing to us at devastating cost to themselves. I believe that action should be taken immediately to reduce the release of chemicals into the environment. This is much more easily said than done however. I grew up on a farm and witnessed firsthand how dependant on herbicides and pesticides the agricultural operation of North America is. Practical alternatives must be found. Farmers must be given a viable way to switch over to organic farming (their profit margin is already small enough!) and the issue of net production must be addressed. Since organic farming will inevitably yeild less, fewer people can be fed per acre. With people already starving worldwide a decrease in population would greatly help the strain put on agricultural operations.