Case Studies in Earth & Environmental Science Journalism
Theo Colburn is listed as an author of "Our Stolen Future", and she is referenced to in third person in the chapter we included in this packet. What do you think of this style of writing?
An article in "Environmental Science and Technology" asked, "Will 'Our Stolen Future' be another 'Silent Spring?'" Is this book a good example of activist science writing by a scientist on the ranks of 'Silent Spring?'
Do you think the subject of endocrine disruptors became of more interest to the public when the focus shifted from wildlife to human life effects? What role do you think the media played in this?
Sharpe and Skakkebaek published their article in "Lancelot" in 1993; a whole body of literature exists that disagrees with their work. Does this article in any way function as Walter Alvarez’s work did (in other words, as a catalyst for more research on estrogen and endocrine disruptors?
Check out the "Wall Street Journal" essay by Stephen Safe (8/20/97). Safe is a co-author of some of the work done on disproving endocrine disruptor effects on humans. After all you’ve read, what do you think of the tiny essay by Diane Katz in the corner?
Of the articles produced here, which do you think is the most balanced? Which was the most unbalanced, in your opinion? Do you think these articles used a "panic factor" or "scare tactic" to draw in readers?
World Wildlife Fund, 1998. Known and Suspected Endocrine Disruptors. http://www.wwfcanada.org/hormone-disruptors/list.htm.
Colborn, Theo, Dianne Dumanoski and John Peterson Myers, 1995. Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence and Survival? - A Scientific Detective Story, pp. 1-46.
Colborn, Theo, 1996. State of the World Forum Opening Comments. http://www.pmac.net/theos.htm.
Sharpe, R. M. and Skakkebaek, N. S., 1993. Are oestrogens involved in falling sperm counts and disorders of the male reproductive tract? The Lancelot, 341: 1392-1395.
Guillette, L. J., Gross, T. S. , Masson, G. R., Matter, J. M., Percival, H. F., and Woodward, A. R., 1994. Developmental Abnormalities of the Gonad and Abnormal Sex Hormone Concentrations in Juvenile Alligators from Contaminated and Control Lakes in Florida. Environmental Health Perspectives, 102: 680-688.
Guillette, L. J., Crain, D. A., Rooney, A. A. and Pickford, D. B., 1995. Organization versus Activation: The Role of Endocrine-disrupting Contaminants (EDCs) during Embryonic Development in Wildlife. Environmental Health Perspectives, 103: 157-164.
Swan, S. H., Elkin, E. P. and L. Fenster, 1997. Have Sperm Densities Declined? A Reanalysis of Global Trend Data. Environmental Health Perspectives, 105: 1228-1232.
Children's Environmental Health Network. Fact Sheet from a Congressional Briefing Conducted by the Children's Environmental Health Network.
World Wildlife Fund, 1998. Cancer/Cell Proliferation of Reproductive Organs. http://www.wwfcancad.org/hormone-disruptors/effects4.htm
Montague, Peter, 1997. 1997 Review—Part 1: Something is Terribly Wrong. Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly, no. 556. http://www.pmac.net/rachels2.htm
Elder, Jane and Wetzel, Marge Rewald. 1985. A fine kettle of fish. Sierra, March-April: 33-40.
Park, Penny, 1991. Great Lakes pollution link to infertility. New Scientist, 28 Sept:18.
Lemonick, Michael D., and Crumley, B., Plon, U., Towle, L. H. 1996. What’s wrong with our sperm? Time, 18 March:78-79.
Jaffe, Mark. 1996. Man-made chemicals may threaten our development. Chicago Tribune, 2 June: page 8 of "Woman News" Section.
Lean, Geoffrey. 1996. World industry poisons Arctic purity. Independent (UK), 15 Dec.: page unknown.
Edwards, Randall, 1997. Wildlife sounds chemical alarm. Columbus Dispatch, 25 Feb.: 3B.
The Associated Press, 1997. Hormone Disruption Requires Additional Study, EPA Says. The New York Times, 14 March: A26.
Return to Case Studies
Return to E&ESJ Home Page