Comments on: If freaky fish are everywhere, are they still freaky?

By: Rebecca Sutton, EWG

Rebecca Sutton, EWG — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:45:01 +0000

Hey Susan – Your analogy is perfect – we think intersex fish and frogs may be canaries in the coalmine with respect to the effects of hormone disrupting chemicals on human health. We’re concerned that intersex characteristics may show up with increasing frequency in these animals because they’re exposed to polluted waters containing all sorts of hormone disruptors from our everyday products – cosmetics, cleaning supplies, plastics, etc.

In people, specific male reproductive system birth defects tied to hormone disrupting chemicals are already on the rise. Instead of ignoring evidence of harm to people or our fish friends, let’s eliminate these chemicals from our products, our bodies, and our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

By: Rebecca Sutton, EWG

Rebecca Sutton, EWG — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:44:38 +0000

Hello IH – Thanks for the comment – you raise an important point. Our concern lies not with the intersex condition itself, but with the fact that the condition is on the rise due to exposure of fish to water pollution created by people. That’s the part that’s “freaky.” I apologize for any offense – it wasn’t intentional – and will be sure to use clearer language in the future.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:59:35 +0000

The problem is that it’s in our water supply.

By: Susan E.

Susan E. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:23:11 +0000

I remember seeing odd fish at a hatchery when I was 16, or rather, in about 1971 or earlier. I think the tour guide explained that it was “natural” for there to be a certain percentage of deformed fish, or whatever the language was. There were fish with 3 gills, or 2 heads, or 2 tails. I didn’t look any more closely than that. I just remember there were quite a few – - one almost in every batch or 2. It was a large trout hatchery. I believe they just explained that they “made sure the deformed ones didn’t go to stock lakes or rivers.” I think they indicated that it was just a natural phenomenon. Now I have to wonder. I had heard about frogs with these kinds of deformities, and maybe even parthenogenic frogs at that time. Is this “normal” or are fish and reptiles or whatever just early canaries like some of us?

By: IH

IH — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:19:42 +0000

I am troubled by the way the author of this article throws around the work freakish in regards to intersex. People can also be intersex. There is a lot of problematic stigma and shame attached to that physical state, of which is perpetuated by language used in this article.

By: John H Drais

John H Drais — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:38:26 +0000

Has anyone examined the water in Africa where the young lady with intersex characteristics, who caused such a stir in the althletic realm recently, grew up?

By: Miss P

Miss P — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:36:12 +0000

Stories like this are part of the reason I became a vegetarian last year.

By: Lisa Frack, EWG

Lisa Frack, EWG — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:24:23 +0000

NPR ran a story on this on 9/16/09 – you can listen to it here: http://bit.ly/30KBJQ