Hormonal Chaos: The Scientific and Social Origins of the Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis / Edition 1

by Sheldon Krimsky, Lynn Goldman

Overview

In Hormonal Chaos, Sheldon Krimsky traces the emergence of an unorthodox hypothesis that casts new suspicions on a broad range of modern industrial chemicals. At the heart of his story is the "Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis," the assertion that a class of chemicals called "endocrine disruptors" are interfering with the normal functioning of hormones in animals and humans. Krimsky describes how this controversial theory was first elaborated and explores the complex factors that have contributed to its increased legitimacy and continued controversy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801872525
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2003
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.54(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Sheldon Krimsky is a professor in the department of urban and environmental policy at Tufts University.

What People are Saying About This

Senator John F. Kerry

Sheldon Krimsky has written an extremely responsible book and has sounded an important alarm. He provides us all a good education on the scientific, historical, social, and political aspects of the environmental endocrine hypothesis. In a cogent and persuasive presentation, Dr. Krimsky sets forth the possible consequences of allowing endocrine disrupters to go unchecked in our environment. Ironically, Hormonal Chaos calls on us to enlist a reasonable and balanced interdisciplinary approach to understanding the environmental endocrine hypothesis. In short, Dr. Krimsky encourages us to apply common sense to what should be a common concern.

Nicholas AshfordMassachusetts Institute of Technologyco-

Hormonal Chaos is a masterful weaving of the science and politics of endocrine disruption, a public health and environmental problem deserving increased concern and attention. Written by one of America's foremost philosophers and historians of contemporary science, this book clarifies in layman's terms the complexity of a serious emerging health concern. It also criticizes governmental regulation as being unduly influenced by both academic and industrial pressures for science to deliver more than it can.

— Nicholas AshfordMassachusetts Institute of Technologyco-, author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes

Nicholas Ashford

Hormonal Chaos is a masterful weaving of the science and politics of endocrine disruption, a public health and environmental problem deserving increased concern and attention. Written by one of America's foremost philosophers and historians of contemporary science, this book clarifies in layman's terms the complexity of a serious emerging health concern. It also criticizes governmental regulation as being unduly influenced by both academic and industrial pressures for science to deliver more than it can.

— Nicholas AshfordMassachusetts Institute of Technologyco-, author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes

From the Publisher

Sheldon Krimsky has written an extremely responsible book and has sounded an important alarm. He provides us all a good education on the scientific, historical, social, and political aspects of the environmental endocrine hypothesis. In a cogent and persuasive presentation, Dr. Krimsky sets forth the possible consequences of allowing endocrine disrupters to go unchecked in our environment. Ironically, Hormonal Chaos calls on us to enlist a reasonable and balanced interdisciplinary approach to understanding the environmental endocrine hypothesis. In short, Dr. Krimsky encourages us to apply common sense to what should be a common concern.
—Senator John F. Kerry

Hormonal Chaos is a masterful weaving of the science and politics of endocrine disruption, a public health and environmental problem deserving increased concern and attention. Written by one of America's foremost philosophers and historians of contemporary science, this book clarifies in layman's terms the complexity of a serious emerging health concern. It also criticizes governmental regulation as being unduly influenced by both academic and industrial pressures for science to deliver more than it can.
—Nicholas AshfordMassachusetts Institute of Technologyco-, author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes

In this timely and important book, Sheldon Krimsky has given us a masterful analysis of the scientific, political and economic issues generated by the belated discovery that many of the synthetic chemicals that have been massively introduced into the environment for more than half a century can disrupt the delicately balanced hormonal systems that govern human and animal development.
—Barry Commoner, author of The Closing Circle and Making Peace With the Planet

Barry Commoner

In this timely and important book, Sheldon Krimsky has given us a masterful analysis of the scientific, political and economic issues generated by the belated discovery that many of the synthetic chemicals that have been massively introduced into the environment for more than half a century can disrupt the delicately balanced hormonal systems that govern human and animal development.

— Barry Commoner, author of The Closing Circle and Making Peace With the Planet

Editorial Reviews

This well-written and thoroughly researched book provides an invaluable overview of the controversies surrounding the new hypotheses about the relationships between chemical exposures and human and environmental health. The book al so has much to say about the process of science and how science and scientific theories change as well as providing an example of how to analyze other scientific controversies.
—Mrill Ingram, Environment

A fascinating look at the motivations and responsibilities of scientists, politicians, journalists, and industries, who rush to defend their turf when new controversies arise regarding public safety. It also details the complexity of scientific communication.
—Library Journal

Eminently readable . . . Few issues have galvanized so many so quickly, and Krimsky has accomplished the difficult task of chronicling the history of this contentious idea without being drawn too far into the fray.
—Issues in Science and Technology

Hormonal Chaos is a fascinating and readable account of the environmental endocrine hypothesis.
—Valery Forbes, BioScience

An interesting review of a topic that is even now rocking the foundations of toxicology and risk assessment . . . This book is relevant to virtually all issues that have global health, economic, and public policy implications.
—Gina M. Solomon, Chemical and Engineering News

A fascinating study of the [environmental endocrine] hypothesis and of the interface between science, media, and policy.
—Booklist

In Hormonal Chaos, Krimsky lays out a clear and thorough historical analysis of the development of the environmental endocrine hypothesis (sometimes called the endocrine disruption hypothesis), and then examines the larger scientific, political, and social ramifications of it.
—Archives of Sexual Behavior

Krimsky has not only successfully narrated the historical roots of the problem but has also exposed the complex social, economic, and political context of modern debates. Perhaps most impressively, Krimsky's account remains balanced and insightful without being polemical.
—Mark Jackson, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

From the Publisher

Eminently readable . . . Few issues have galvanized so many so quickly, and Krimsky has accomplished the difficult task of chronicling the history of this contentious idea without being drawn too far into the fray.

Issues in Science and Technology

In Hormonal Chaos, Krimsky lays out a clear and thorough historical analysis of the development of the environmental endocrine hypothesis (sometimes called the endocrine disruption hypothesis), and then examines the larger scientific, political, and social ramifications of it.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

A fascinating study of the [environmental endocrine] hypothesis and of the interface between science, media, and policy.

Booklist

This well-written and thoroughly researched book provides an invaluable overview of the controversies surrounding the new hypotheses about the relationships between chemical exposures and human and environmental health. The book al so has much to say about the process of science and how science and scientific theories change as well as providing an example of how to analyze other scientific controversies.

Environment - Mrill Ingram

Hormonal Chaos is a fascinating and readable account of the environmental endocrine hypothesis.

BioScience - Valery Forbes

Krimsky has not only successfully narrated the historical roots of the problem but has also exposed the complex social, economic, and political context of modern debates. Perhaps most impressively, Krimsky's account remains balanced and insightful without being polemical.

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences - Mark Jackson

An interesting review of a topic that is even now rocking the foundations of toxicology and risk assessment . . . This book is relevant to virtually all issues that have global health, economic, and public policy implications.

Chemical and Engineering News - Gina M. Solomon

"A fascinating study of the [environmental endocrine] hypothesis and of the interface between science, media, and policy."

Booklist

Krimsky has not only successfully narrated the historical roots of the problem but has also exposed the complex social, economic, and political context of modern debates. Perhaps most impressively, Krimsky's account remains balanced and insightful without being polemical.

— Mark Jackson

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

An interesting review of a topic that is even now rocking the foundations of toxicology and risk assessment... This book is relevant to virtually all issues that have global health, economic, and public policy implications.

— Gina M. Solomon

Chemical and Engineering News

Hormonal Chaos is a fascinating and readable account of the environmental endocrine hypothesis.

— Valery Forbes

BioScience

This well-written and thoroughly researched book provides an invaluable overview of the controversies surrounding the new hypotheses about the relationships between chemical exposures and human and environmental health. The book al so has much to say about the process of science and how science and scientific theories change as well as providing an example of how to analyze other scientific controversies.

— Mrill Ingram

Environment

3 Stars from Doody

Hormonal Chaos presents a synthesis of science, policy, the media, and the personalities in the controversial new area of environmental health known as "endocrine disruption," including the natural and synthetic chemicals involved....[A] unique resource for readers wishing an overview of these disparate topics.

Journal of the American Medical Association

Endocrine disrupters include organochlorine substances such as PCBs, dioxins, and furans as well as alkylphenols such as nonylphenol. These contaminants have been widely dispersed in urban and rural environments for many years, although their concentrations are said to have been gradually declining during the past 30 years as their manufacture has been restricted. Just over a decade ago several investigators noticed that these environmental contaminants produced effects that mimicked those of reproductive hormones or of hormonal interference. From these observations was developed the general Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis to explain the role of xenobiotic endocrine disrupters in production of various reproductive abnormalities. This book describes the scientific origins of this hypothesis and the scientific and socio-political interactions that have led to validation and policy development. The purpose is to explain how scientific data and theory evolve into sufficient acceptance for policy and regulation of pollutants. These worthy objectives have been met by the author. This book is for persons with serious environmental health concerns, whether they are graduate students or practitioners. Starting from the scientific basis for the controversy, this book explores and reveals how the theory was developed, how business and social constituencies formed, how congressional hearings led to legislation, political and ethical forces in the scientific community, and how regulatory policies are developed. These portrayals are fascinating, for they emphasize the human dimension in the world of science, which governs how progress actually occurs. Sufficient information has accumulated andsufficient scrutiny has occurred that the reality of the basis for concern over the effects of these endocrine disrupters has been validated. There are many gaps in our knowledge of these substances and their effects, so that much more investigation is needed. The subject is worth knowing about because it will continue to grow and because it is profoundly important. This book is a well-written and gripping explanation of the problem.

William E Morton

The environmental endocrine hypothesis claims that a diverse array of industrial and agricultural chemicals can interfere with the body's normal hormone functions and cause reproductive, neurological, and developmental abnormalities in humans and wildlife. Based upon a sizable body of literature and research initially documented in Theo Colborn & others' Our Stolen Future (LJ 2/15/96), this hypothesis quickly gained both supporters and critics among various organizations, government agencies, scientific bodies, and trade groups. Krimsky (urban and environmental policy, Tufts Univ.) explains the development of the theory, response of the scientific community, challenges facing policy makers, and attitudes regarding public safety. This is a fascinating look at the motivations and responsibilities of scientists, politicians, journalists, and industries, who rush to defend their turf when new controversies arise regarding public safety. It also details the complexity of scientific communication. Recommended for environmental and public health collections.--Irwin Weintraub, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

The hypothesis, which has emerged in the past few years, is that a diverse group of industrial and agricultural chemicals can mimic or obstruct hormone function, not only disrupting the endocrine system but fooling it into accepting new instructions that can result in reproductive and development abnormalities, immune dysfunction, and cognitive and behavioral pathologies. Krinsky (urban and environmental policy, Tufts U.) describes its birth in the milieu of science, ethics, and public policy, and works out implications in science, health, environment, and regulation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: William E Morton, MD, DrPH (Oregon Health and Science University)
Description: Endocrine disrupters include organochlorine substances such as PCBs, dioxins, and furans as well as alkylphenols such as nonylphenol. These contaminants have been widely dispersed in urban and rural environments for many years, although their concentrations are said to have been gradually declining during the past 30 years as their manufacture has been restricted. Just over a decade ago several investigators noticed that these environmental contaminants produced effects that mimicked those of reproductive hormones or of hormonal interference. From these observations was developed the general Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis to explain the role of xenobiotic endocrine disrupters in production of various reproductive abnormalities. This book describes the scientific origins of this hypothesis and the scientific and socio-political interactions that have led to validation and policy development.
Purpose: The purpose is to explain how scientific data and theory evolve into sufficient acceptance for policy and regulation of pollutants. These worthy objectives have been met by the author.
Audience: This book is for persons with serious environmental health concerns, whether they are graduate students or practitioners.
Features: Starting from the scientific basis for the controversy, this book explores and reveals how the theory was developed, how business and social constituencies formed, how congressional hearings led to legislation, political and ethical forces in the scientific community, and how regulatory policies are developed. These portrayals are fascinating, for they emphasize the human dimension in the world of science, which governs how progress actually occurs.
Assessment: Sufficient information has accumulated and sufficient scrutiny has occurred that the reality of the basis for concern over the effects of these endocrine disrupters has been validated. There are many gaps in our knowledge of these substances and their effects, so that much more investigation is needed. The subject is worth knowing about because it will continue to grow and because it is profoundly important. This book is a well-written and gripping explanation of the problem.

Doody's Review Service