1. I am intrigued by this week’s material, especially how teratogens influence prenatal development. First of all, a teratogen is any agent that causes abnormal prenatal development; this includes drugs, disease and environmental hazards. The text book states that there are five principles about how teratogens work. The two principles I found fascinating were the first and second. The first principle states, “The impact of a teratogen depends on the genotype of the organism.” This means that a substance may be safe for a specific organism, let’s say a pregnant pig, yet the same substance is not safe for a pregnant human. The reason why it may affect some organism and not another is because of genetics. Some organisms are more prone than others to a specific teratogen. This makes me wonder, why doesn’t the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set any guidelines for pregnant women regarding certain chemicals in make-up? The second principle states, “The impact of teratogens changes over the course of prenatal development.” This means a teratogen has different effects in each stage of pregnancy, and depending on the timing of the exposure the consequences can be devastating.
3. I would like to know more about environmental hazards because the world is changing. For example, in 2011, a tsunami hit Japan and caused the three Fukushima reactors to explode. I am curious about the pregnant women in japan who experienced this event and how it affected their now born children.
Interesting and thoughtful post. It is amazing how some substances so easily cross the placenta. You might consider a small exploration of possible teratogens present in this country.
ReplyDeleteA prime example might be coal and coal burning. A study of Chinese children found that prenatal exposure to combusted coal products resulted in motor and language deficits.
Two possible considerations for us Hamsters: 1) We've seen the pics of Chinese air pollution so thick, one can barely see across the street. Where does all that coal pollution end up? Well, the prevailing Pacific winds come right to our shores. We know airborne Chinese pollution reaches us. How much? Does the pollution fallout on our city accumulate; enter our water; enter the oceanic food chain? (Link to above study - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: http://1.usa.gov/15oOAun)
2) The hot local topic on coal is possible significant increases in local coal train traffic and effects of increased levels of coal train dust. I surely don't have the answers, but it gives one pause on what we often unthinkingly do to ourselves in the name of economic growth. Here's the link to a study done in South Africa on street dust in a mining and smelting area: http://1.usa.gov/15oR0ck.
Best, Rebekah
great post, quite personal. I had personally not yet known the word teratogens to describe environmental hazards, it is a great word to know. There are so many external forces constantly influencing our development, its ridiculous. Think about this though, every single person that you and your parents are directly related to have had their genes changed by the environment to then make it to where you and your parents are. Before you are even born or conceived nature is changing how your blueprint will be for your personality as well as like every trait you will have at the start.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your post. I also found it amazing how easily teratogens can change a babys life. And these substances are all over the place. A lot of teratogens still are not found like in the readings when women in Germany took a drug to help them sleep and had deformed babies after that. I know we have came a long ways from the 1950s but I still think we haven't scratched the surface on some of the hazards for pregnant mothers.
ReplyDeleteCasino Games - MapyRO
ReplyDeleteThe best casino games by location · 1. Red 여주 출장안마 Dog 고양 출장샵 Casino, Las Vegas, NV · 2. 원주 출장안마 Golden Nugget 통영 출장안마 Casino, Las Vegas, 군포 출장샵 NV · 3.