Our environment is going to Hell

[fsu813]

Signs of jumbled hormones that trouble creatures from turtles to alligators have now turned up in a superstar of sportfishing - the largemouth bass.

Almost one in five male largemouths from rivers around the country had microscopic egg cells inside their testes, said Jo Ellen Hinck, a biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey who worked on a nine-year project to test fish from more than 100 locations.

Bass were among just a few kinds of fish where the study found those characteristics, which researchers labeled as intersex features.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-09-28/story/study_bass_in_the_southeast_us_showing_hormone_issue

[FayeforCure]

Signs of jumbled hormones that trouble creatures from turtles to alligators have now turned up in a superstar of sportfishing - the largemouth bass.

Almost one in five male largemouths from rivers around the country had microscopic egg cells inside their testes, said Jo Ellen Hinck, a biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey who worked on a nine-year project to test fish from more than 100 locations.

Bass were among just a few kinds of fish where the study found those characteristics, which researchers labeled as intersex features.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-09-28/story/study_bass_in_the_southeast_us_showing_hormone_issue

"But,.......but,......you can't believe those scientists" says John Mica. "Have any of the fishermen confirmed this, through anecdotal stories?" he continues.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=5593.15

[buckethead]

Damn that Mica!

[Dog Walker]

Mr. Mica, I don't think that local fishermen are going to examining the gonads of the bass that they catch and the hormonal changes don't involve the fish growing little titties.  Put a sign on your desk that says, "Engage brain before opening mouth."

[buckethead]

I think the hairpiece is causing some overheating.

[Overstreet]

...........Almost one in five male largemouths from rivers around the country had microscopic egg cells inside their testes............

You know that all the fish I ever caught I never saw anything that I could identify as testes. I figured the fish needed to know that more than me anyway.

[kellypope]

The title is an obvious truth. Now what are you going to do about it?

[Sportmotor]

The title is an obvious truth. Now what are you going to do about it?

I dunno about the rest of you but I feel like cooking some fish over a coal BBQ.

[FayeforCure]

The title is an obvious truth. Now what are you going to do about it?

Clearly hard-core Republicans just joke about it.

Funny thing is that besides healthcare, concern for our environment is a truly bi-partisan issue that requires shared sacrifices.

[buckethead]

Commence the sacrifices!

[Overstreet]

............Funny thing is that besides healthcare, concern for our environment is a truly bi-partisan issue that requires shared sacrifices.............

Shared sacrifices?  ..... The article did hint that they didn’t know if egg cells had been in the bass testies before now or not.
..........They were quoting the possible cause is from estrogen used in birth control medications. Let's not forget that estrogen is administered to treat menopause and other female reproductive conditions. It is also prescribed for some rare blood diseases in both male and female. The problem would be that unused estrogen is not removed by the sewage treatment system.  Then there are the plant estrogens present in things like soy products.

Should we ban estrogen?  Does it really matter if largemouth bass have egg cells in their testis? 

However, I can attest to the fact that if we ban hormone replacement therapy to menopausal women we all suffer.   Some will suffer more than others.

[gmpalmer]

Ah the unforeseen consequences of chemical birth control. . .

[kellypope]

Hey, y'all. Jacksonville is the 8th most toxic city in the US. Awesome!

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/02/toxic-cities-pollution-lifestyle-real-estate-toxic-cities_chart.html?partner=contextstory

[Captain Zissou]

^^ I just read today that we were 11th or 13th for highest unemployment in another survey!! We're on a roll.

Maybe the bass were just getting in touch with their feminine side....?

[kellypope]

We're still number one in the Least Walkable Cities list, according to HuffPost. Sure could use some better transit options...