More Than Genes: What Science Can Tell Us About Toxic Chemicals, Development, And The Risk To Our Children
by Dan Agin /
2009 / English / PDF
2.1 MB Download
We are all shaped by our genetic inheritance and by the environment
we live in. Indeed, the argument about which of these two forces,
nature or nurture, predominates has been raging for decades. But
what about our very
We are all shaped by our genetic inheritance and by the environment
we live in. Indeed, the argument about which of these two forces,
nature or nurture, predominates has been raging for decades. But
what about our veryfirst
first environment--the prenatal world
where we exist for nine months between conception and birth and
where we are more vulnerable than at any other point in our
lives?
environment--the prenatal world
where we exist for nine months between conception and birth and
where we are more vulnerable than at any other point in our
lives?
In
InMore Than Genes
More Than Genes, Dan Agin marshals new scientific
evidence to argue that the fetal environment can be just as crucial
as genetic hard-wiring or even later environment in determining our
intelligence and behavior. Stress during pregnancy, for example,
puts women at far greater risk of bearing children prone to anxiety
disorders. Nutritional deprivation during early fetal development
may elevate the risk of late onset schizophrenia. And exposure to a
whole host of environmental toxins--methylmercury, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, pesticides, ionizing radiation, and most
especially lead--as well as maternal use of alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana, or cocaine can have impacts ranging from mild cognitive
impairment to ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and other mental
disorders. Agin argues as well that differences in IQ among racial,
ethnic, and socioeconomic groups are far more attributable to
higher levels of stress and chemical toxicity in inner
cities--which seep into the prenatal environment and compromise the
health of the fetus--than to genetic inheritance. The good news is
that the prenatal environment is malleable, and Agin suggests that
if we can abandon the naive idea of "immaculate gestation," we can
begin to protect fetal development properly.
, Dan Agin marshals new scientific
evidence to argue that the fetal environment can be just as crucial
as genetic hard-wiring or even later environment in determining our
intelligence and behavior. Stress during pregnancy, for example,
puts women at far greater risk of bearing children prone to anxiety
disorders. Nutritional deprivation during early fetal development
may elevate the risk of late onset schizophrenia. And exposure to a
whole host of environmental toxins--methylmercury, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, pesticides, ionizing radiation, and most
especially lead--as well as maternal use of alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana, or cocaine can have impacts ranging from mild cognitive
impairment to ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and other mental
disorders. Agin argues as well that differences in IQ among racial,
ethnic, and socioeconomic groups are far more attributable to
higher levels of stress and chemical toxicity in inner
cities--which seep into the prenatal environment and compromise the
health of the fetus--than to genetic inheritance. The good news is
that the prenatal environment is malleable, and Agin suggests that
if we can abandon the naive idea of "immaculate gestation," we can
begin to protect fetal development properly.
Cogently argued, thoroughly researched, and accessibly written,
Cogently argued, thoroughly researched, and accessibly written,More Than Genes
More Than Genes challenges many long-held assumptions and
represents a huge step forward in our understanding of the origins
of human intelligence and behavior.
challenges many long-held assumptions and
represents a huge step forward in our understanding of the origins
of human intelligence and behavior.