The toxic chemicals can cause genetic diseases

According to a recent study by the University of Washington, USA, substances that have been contaminating previous generations in the family may continue to harm the current health of later generations.

The team has given evidence that some uterine harms may cause genetic diseases in future generations.

The study was conducted on mice that suggest that human-induced environmental pollutants can disrupt gene activity and increase the risk of developing genetic diseases for at least 4 generations. go. This study was published in the journal Science.

Source: agroprofesional Scientists have exposed pregnant mice to two types of agricultural chemicals when the fetus is in the process of sex formation. The first substance is called Vinclozolin (Has the effect of killing fungi, is often used in vineyards), and the second type is called Methoxychlor (A pesticide). Both of these substances affect the normal function of reproductive hormones.

As a result, male mice born to mice exposed to these two substances had low sperm count and fertility. When the mice of this generation mate with other mice that are not affected by the two types of rats, male mice still have abnormal phenomena similar to their father's generation. This phenomenon lasts for at least 4 generations and reduces fertility of more than 90% of male mice in each generation.

Scientists have analyzed and concluded that the cause of this phenomenon is not due to changes in genetic code but in gene activity. These "epigenetic" changes are caused by small chemicals. They cling to DNA and alter its activity. People have known these changes for a long time but do not know they have the ability to inherit from generation to generation.

"Focal point" of cancer

Dr. Michael Skinner, the lead researcher, believes that these changes may be one of the causes of breast cancer or prostate cancer. According to him, these two types of cancer are increasingly popular and the cause is not only due to genetic changes.

The researchers suggest that these findings are evidence that exposure to toxic environmental factors is very important in human evolution. This evolutionary process is probably not only governed by the phenomenon of genetic change as we often think.

Dr Skinner added: " These results open up a new approach to diseases. I am confident that they will be widely recognized and will become the main base to help us better understand. about current dangerous diseases even though more research is needed to make a stronger assertion ".

In this study, the ratio of chemical substances that laboratory rats have to contact is much higher than the actual rate that humans suffer today. Further research is needed to conclude whether the same phenomenon occurs with lower rates of toxic chemicals. However, these findings also open new perspectives in the scientific and medical circles.