Rachel Carson's Silent Spring has been credited much with forcing society to take a larger look at what chemicals we are putting into the environment, and what effects that has in the long-term, for the health of the environment, ecology, other species, and ourselves. Of particular note was the use of the pesticide DDT and its effect on bird eggs, which were noticably thinner, as well as on the reproductive capacity of birds. DDT has also been found to affect alligators in Florida, effectively "feminizing" the males; build-up of the compound in the system blocks the androgens (male hormone) in their system. Interestingly, sometimes these "environmental estrogens" actually physically mimic and resemble their natural counterparts, while other times they simply use the same mechanisms (McLachlan and Arnold, American Scientist, 1996). These compounds have since been implicated in adverse health effects, ranging from increased allergies to cancer.
So, how might one come into contact with these estrogen-mimicking compounds? One way is as easy as mastication. Phytoestrogens (estrogen or estrogen-like compounds found in plants) can be found in clover, soybeans, other legumes such as rye, and some fruits and veggies. Then there are some that are due to fungal growth (mycoestrogens) which grow on grains; the grain is then fed to the cattle; or the mycoestrogen is used to create a hormonal supplement that is given to the cattle; either way it is present in small amounts in the cattle (hormonally supplemented meat). Mycoestrogens (from fungus) were also used at one time to produce a type of birth control; this was revolutionary since it was a non-steroidal source.
Okay, now onto more environmental estrogens introduced by humans (source here):
- pesticides (as mentioned previously insecticides like DDT, endosulfan, dieldrin, methoxychlor, toxaphene, chlordane; herbicides such as alachlor, atrazine and nitrofen; fungicides such as benomyl, mancozeb and tributyl tin; nematocides such as aldicarb adn dibromochloropropane)
- products associated with plastics (bisphenol A, phthalates)
- medications (drug estrogens - birth control pills, DES, cimetidine)
- ordinary household products (breakdown products of detergents and associated surfactants, including nonylphenol and octylphenol)
- industrial chemicals (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin and benzo(a)pyrene)
- heavy metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium)
But, it does not seem to be enough that our environment, our fellow creatures, and our physiological bodies are becoming feminized. Our culture appears to be trending that direction as well. Or at least making the attempt. Maybe it just wants to 'fit in'. Maybe it's something I just haven't caught on to. But whatever it was, it bothered me throughout the entire movie. I am talking about Barnyard. The first few minutes were okay, because none of the cows were really talking. But once they starting talking, and you realized that ALL the cows had udders, even the MALES, it was disturbing! After that, I really had a hard time paying attention. And at the end of the movie, when the little calf is born, the midwife-cow says, "It's a boy!", all I could think was "How can you tell?" I mean, I'm not saying we need to be all realistic or anything, or even Barbie-prim and put fake plastic clothing on certain parts. But, really, udders on all of them? Do you think the PG-audience (check, the movie is RATED PG) will not recognize the cows if they do not all have udders? Or even that, say, those younger children whose parents are letting them watch this movie, will not realize that they are watching a bunch of cows running around? Because, really, I think we get the point. Personally, I was sold with the spots.
