Study: Birth defects higher in 'high wheat' counties

[Chicagonian]

Study: Birth defects higher in 'high wheat' counties

John MacDonald
Associated Press
Jul. 10, 2003 03:05 PM

HELENA, Mont. - Babies born in major wheat-producing counties were twice as likely to have birth defects as those born in rural counties with low wheat production, a new federal study shows.

The research, published in the July issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, a peer-reviewed journal of the National Institutes of Health, suggests exposure to common herbicides applied to wheat could be responsible for the increased rate of birth defects...

Schreinemachers said results of her study indicate that in rural, agricultural counties with high wheat production - where the use of chlorophenoxy herbicides is higher - rates of certain birth defects "significantly increased."

Specifically, instances of circulatory-respiratory and musculoskeletal defects were twice as frequent in high-wheat counties, she said.

Even more significant, baby boys born in high-wheat counties and conceived during April or June - when herbicide application normally is in full swing - were nearly five times as likely to have birth defects than boys conceived during other times of the year and born in counties with low wheat production, the study concluded...

we're allowing ourselves and our environment to be exposed to w-a-a-a-y too many industrial strength chemicals.
There are better options than ever-stronger doses of herbicides, which the targeted insects ultimately "evolve" a resistance to, requiring ever-ever-stronger doses- which leech into water tables, rivers, lakes, and streams, and ultimately into all of our bodies, no matter how "organic" a life we try to lead.

[Maple]

1. Yes, it's called

genetically modified food.

[Son_of_Sambo]

2. That's why

I eat lots of red meat.

[Maple]

3. This would be the

red meat with lots of growth hormone and antibiotics in it?

[Son_of_Sambo]

4. Yes

Yummy.

[Maple]

5. LOL

and how many eyes do you currently have?

And where are they?

[Son_of_Sambo]

6. Two

And they're currently staring at a big ol' steak. Yum yum.

[Maple]

7. I'm not a vegetarian

so there's no need to convince me.

I just meant that the only way to get away from pesticide on plants....and all that stuff you're eating in your meat....is to genetically modify food.

[no_arbusto]

8. Celiac disease is also increasing.

Celiac Disease, which I suffer from, is also increasing. Celiacs cannot digest gluten from wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Celiacs' immune systems damage their small intestine when gluten is ingested resulting in the inability to properly absorb nutrients. Celiac disease has been around much longer than pesticide use, but I still wonder if there is any correlation.

[SoCalDem]

9. p e s t i c i d e s......h e r b i c i d e s ....runoff..

These are not meant to be consumed/breathed by humans..

We are poisoning ourselves and our children:(