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Endocrine Society Calls for Precautionary Action - June 24, 2009

logo of the Endocrine SocietyJune 24, 2009: The Endocrine Society, a highly respected international medical society of over 14,000 members in 100 countries, issued a seminal new report stating that exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals are a growing threat to human health and well-being.  The report explicitly states that “the precautionary principle is critical to enhancing health.”

The paper also asserts that in order to prevent disease, “Our chemical policies at the local, state and national levels, as well as globally, need to be formulated, financed and implemented to ensure the best public health.” Given the stature of the Endocrine Society, as well as its “Sister Societies”, such as the American Diabetes Society and the American Obesity Society, this report sends a clear signal to other health-related professional societies as well as policymakers that we can no longer ignore environmental contributors to a wide range of diseases and disabilities—in fact, we need to take a precautionary approach on every level of decision-making.

To download the report, please visit the Endocrine Society website.

Read related articles by Nicholas Kristoff of the New York Times:


Related Resources:

American Medical Association resolution on chemical policy reform
9/9/09
Read

New Novel Based on the Latest Science on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
7/28/09

Given the Endocrine Society’s seminal statement (see link above), CHE would like to let our partners know about Doug Abrams’ new novel, Eye of the Whale, which vividly brings to life some of the crucial issues that motivate our work in the burgeoning field of environmental health. Recently published by Simon & Schuster, this captivating story is about a marine biologist and a neonatologist couple who discover the influence that toxins—specifically endocrine disrupting chemicals--are having on the health of wildlife and humanity.  As the novel unfolds, the marine biologist is forced to decide if her research findings are worth losing her marriage, her career, and possibly her life. This powerful novel encourages readers to reflect on their relationship to other species and the fragile world in which we live and offer ideas about what we can do collectively to create a healthier future for all.

While writing Eye of the Whale, Abrams worked closely with leading researchers, including CHE Senior Advisor Pete Myers, PhD, to ensure the science on endocrine disrupting chemicals described in this novel is accurate. 
 
Through a special arrangement with the author, CHE is pleased to offer its members a free sample of the book: http://douglascarltonabrams.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=66  

Read it to inspire your own work and feel free to share the link and the book broadly. For more on Abrams, his books, and his research, please visit http://douglascarltonabrams.com.

 

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