Fwd: [Biofuel] Washington State University Finds Toxin, Cancer Link

[Guest guest]

We have no long term experience with most of the chemicals in our environment.

Small wonder cancer is epidemic.

Kirk

 

Keith Addison <keith wrote:

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 01:00:34 +0900

biofuel

Keith Addison <keith

[biofuel] Washington State University Finds Toxin, Cancer Link

 

http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/prn_cancer_toxin_connection.060915.htm

 

Spokesman Review (Spokane, Wash.), September 15, 2006

 

Washington State University Finds Toxin, Cancer Link

 

Study finds link during pregnancy

 

[Rachel's introduction: Pregnant rats were exposed to high levels of

a fungicide commonly used in vineyards. In male offspring and three

subsequent male generations of the rats, 85 percent of the animals

developed cancer, prostate disease, kidney disease, premature aging

or other problems.]

 

By Shawn Vestal

 

New research by Washington State University scientists suggests that

a single exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy can cause

cancer, kidney disease and other illnesses for future generations.

 

The research, led by WSU professor Michael Skinner, suggests that

environmental pollution could permanently reprogram genetic traits in

a family line, creating a legacy of sickness. It follows previous

studies in Skinner's lab that showed similar long-term effects from

toxins on the reproductive systems of successive generations.

 

" It's a new way to think about disease, " Skinner said in a WSU news

release. " If this pans out, it gives us a host of new diagnostic and

therapeutic tools. "

 

It also provides possible explanations for increases in some

diseases, as well as spikes in illness that are tied to a

geographical region. And it highlights the potential long-term

dangers from environmental pollution, said Skinner, the director of

WSU's Center for Reproductive Biology.

 

In the research, pregnant rats were exposed to high levels of a

fungicide commonly used in vineyards. In male offspring and three

subsequent male generations of the rats, 85 percent of the animals

developed cancer, prostate disease, kidney disease, premature aging

or other problems. Most of the rats developed more than one illness.

 

The research was published in two papers Thursday in the journal Endocrinology.

 

Skinner's lab has been working on the question of " epigenetic

inheritance " for years, and published research last year that showed

toxic exposure during embryonic development could hurt fertility over

several generations. Epigenetic inheritance involves chemical

modifications in the operation of genes from parent to offspring -

changes in which the DNA itself isn't modified, but the way the genes

" turn off " and " turn on " is affected, WSU said.

 

The new research suggests an environmental toxin can permanently

reprogram an inheritable trait.

 

Skinner and a team of WSU researchers exposed pregnant rats to the

fungicide vinclozolin during a period when the sex of the rats'

offspring was being determined. It's a state of development when

embryos are susceptible to genetic reprogramming, WSU said in its

news release.

 

The rats were exposed to higher levels of the toxin than are normally

present in the environment, and more research is needed to see if

lower levels show the same effects.

 

Pregnant rats exposed to the toxin produced male offspring with low

sperm counts and high rates of disease. When those rats mated with

females that weren't exposed to the fungicide, their male offspring

had the same problems -- a situation that persisted through four

generations.

 

" A human analogy would be if your grandmother was exposed to an

environmental toxicant during mid-gestation, you may develop a

disease state even though you never had direct exposure, and you may

pass it on to your great-grandchildren, " Skinner said.

 

Skinner said the findings might be applicable to the study of breast

cancer and prostate disease, which are increasing faster than would

be expected from genetic changes alone.

 

 

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