Here in Elstree, England, overnight
rain has cleared the thick snow covering the ground, the temperature has risen from
zero to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), and the sun brightens the
landscape. However, on reading the BBC news today, my attitude isn't so bright.
 |
| blindloop.com |
A study on rats has shown that
exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy affects not only the fetus, but
generations to come. In the news report: The
work implicates a class of chemicals found in certain plastics, as well as one
found in jet fuel.
Chemicals again. We know plastics
are harmful to health, yet businesses go on manufacturing and using them to
wrap our food as well as a million other purposes. Jet fuel must spray out of airplanes
and affect us in the air we breathe and the food we eat. No escape.
'The idea of "epigenetics" - that parents do not just pass
their genes to their children, but subtle differences in the way those genes
operate - is one of the fastest growing areas of scientific study. Rats exposed
to phthalates had offspring with higher rates of kidney and prostate disease,
and their great-grandchildren had more disease of the testicles, ovaries and
obesity'.
Maybe an overweight person can
blame their grandparents for their condition.
Dr Skinner said: "Your great-grandmother's exposures during
pregnancy may cause disease in you, while you had no exposure. This is the
first study to show the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease
such as obesity." The study stresses that the tests were in no way
conclusive and would not be conducted on humans.
Can we justify experimentation on
animals? We know rats are highly intelligent animals. Some people even keep
them as pets, like Ben. Listen to Michael Jackson singing Ben here.
I find the
whole subject of causing harm to animals repugnant. Will humankind ever stop
their interference?
Is it worthwhile for a few
creatures to suffer to benefit others?
The same case could be argued for
servicemen who suffer or die during war.
