Kermit to Kermette?

By Frank J. Dinan

Abstract

This case study explores the unintended side effects of chemicals introduced into the environment, specifically organic compounds that can act as environmental estrogens (chemical castration agents that can interfere with the sexual development of embryonic males). The case was developed for a non-majors chemistry course and focuses on the science that underlies the controversy surrounding the sale of the herbicide atrazine in the U.S. as well as the political and economic issues that impact this science.

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Date Posted

03/20/2006

Overview

Objectives

Learn about how environmental estrogens can act to feminize embryonic males.
Acquire experience with the presentation and interpretation of scientific data in graphical form.
Be exposed to the diverse ways in which the same set of scientific data may be interpreted by groups with different political and economic viewpoints.
Become aware of the power that lobbying has to influence the political outcome of scientific studies.

Keywords

Atrazine contamination; androgens; decline of amphibians; environmental estrogen; chemical castration agents; feminization of frog larvae; Syngenta, Xenopus laevis; sociology of science

Subject Headings

Biochemistry

Chemistry (General)

Environmental Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Scientific method

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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