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Endocrine disruption, environmental justice, and the ivory tower | Tyrone Hayes | TEDxBerkeley


before I tell you my story today I want

before I tell you my story today I want to start with this free it’s a Bantu

to start with this free it’s a Bantu

to start with this free it’s a Bantu proverb that I learned while working in

proverb that I learned while working in

proverb that I learned while working in southern Africa loosely translated it

southern Africa loosely translated it

southern Africa loosely translated it means I am because we are

means I am because we are

means I am because we are or people are people through other

or people are people through other

or people are people through other people so I never represent myself or

people so I never represent myself or

people so I never represent myself or tell my story without thanking the

tell my story without thanking the

tell my story without thanking the people who make me who’ve made me who I

people who make me who’ve made me who I

people who make me who’ve made me who I am first and foremost my friends and

am first and foremost my friends and

am first and foremost my friends and family especially my mother and father

family especially my mother and father

family especially my mother and father for a lifetime of support my wife

for a lifetime of support my wife

for a lifetime of support my wife Katherine Kim and my son and daughter

Katherine Kim and my son and daughter

Katherine Kim and my son and daughter for their continued support I also have

for their continued support I also have

for their continued support I also have to think the funding was sources for the

to think the funding was sources for the

to think the funding was sources for the research that I’ve done and there’s also

research that I’ve done and there’s also

research that I’ve done and there’s also my disclosure I have been funded by the

my disclosure I have been funded by the

my disclosure I have been funded by the chemical manufacturers but they have

chemical manufacturers but they have

chemical manufacturers but they have since decided they don’t like to hang

since decided they don’t like to hang

since decided they don’t like to hang out with me so much but that’s okay I

out with me so much but that’s okay I

out with me so much but that’s okay I want to thank all the students that have

want to thank all the students that have

want to thank all the students that have been involved especially the

been involved especially the

been involved especially the undergraduates in blue my current

undergraduates in blue my current

undergraduates in blue my current laboratory for providing a great

laboratory for providing a great

laboratory for providing a great environment with incredibly diverse

environment with incredibly diverse

environment with incredibly diverse group of people that I’m certain that I

group of people that I’m certain that I

group of people that I’m certain that I learn a lot more from them than they

learn a lot more from them than they

learn a lot more from them than they learn from me so now my story what a

learn from me so now my story what a

learn from me so now my story what a week ago I was in the Minneapolis

week ago I was in the Minneapolis

week ago I was in the Minneapolis Airport to give a similar talk and the

Airport to give a similar talk and the

Airport to give a similar talk and the person that was in the EMA in a

person that was in the EMA in a

person that was in the EMA in a restaurant and the person who took my

restaurant and the person who took my

restaurant and the person who took my order and brought me my food asked why

order and brought me my food asked why

order and brought me my food asked why well what brings you to the Twin Cities

well what brings you to the Twin Cities

well what brings you to the Twin Cities and I said well I’m giving a talk in

and I said well I’m giving a talk in

and I said well I’m giving a talk in McAlester college where my daughter is

McAlester college where my daughter is

McAlester college where my daughter is on the professor of biology and she said

on the professor of biology and she said

on the professor of biology and she said wow you don’t look like a professor

wow you don’t look like a professor

wow you don’t look like a professor and I looked up and I said well that’s

and I looked up and I said well that’s

and I looked up and I said well that’s funny because you look exactly like a

funny because you look exactly like a

funny because you look exactly like a waitress and I I don’t I you know I

waitress and I I don’t I you know I

waitress and I I don’t I you know I don’t normally judge people by their

don’t normally judge people by their

don’t normally judge people by their appearance but she had the apron and a

appearance but she had the apron and a

appearance but she had the apron and a nametag in the tablet and and actually

nametag in the tablet and and actually

nametag in the tablet and and actually the end of this story it’s not true

the end of this story it’s not true

the end of this story it’s not true that’s that’s the thing where you go key

that’s that’s the thing where you go key

that’s that’s the thing where you go key I wish I had said what I said was thanks

I wish I had said what I said was thanks

I wish I had said what I said was thanks for the compliment but I didn’t really

for the compliment but I didn’t really

for the compliment but I didn’t really mean it because I didn’t really take it

mean it because I didn’t really take it

mean it because I didn’t really take it as a compliment but not only do I not

as a compliment but not only do I not

as a compliment but not only do I not look like a professor for most of my

look like a professor for most of my

look like a professor for most of my life I haven’t felt like a professor for

life I haven’t felt like a professor for

life I haven’t felt like a professor for most of my life I felt like just a

most of my life I felt like just a

most of my life I felt like just a little boy who likes frogs who’s been

little boy who likes frogs who’s been

little boy who likes frogs who’s been trying to answer this question on his

trying to answer this question on his

trying to answer this question on his book that my mom says she read to me as

book that my mom says she read to me as

book that my mom says she read to me as a baby I don’t remember it but my mom

a baby I don’t remember it but my mom

a baby I don’t remember it but my mom says it’s true that all changed a few

says it’s true that all changed a few

says it’s true that all changed a few years ago when a chemical company the

years ago when a chemical company the

years ago when a chemical company the largest chemical company in the world

largest chemical company in the world

largest chemical company in the world asked me to use my expertise in studying

asked me to use my expertise in studying

asked me to use my expertise in studying frog hormones to try to understand it

frog hormones to try to understand it

frog hormones to try to understand it the chemical they’re number one selling

the chemical they’re number one selling

the chemical they’re number one selling product a weed killer atrazine if it

product a weed killer atrazine if it

product a weed killer atrazine if it interfered with their hormones so

interfered with their hormones so

interfered with their hormones so somehow long story short we examine the

somehow long story short we examine the

somehow long story short we examine the African clawed frog in my lab we exposed

African clawed frog in my lab we exposed

African clawed frog in my lab we exposed them to this chemical atrazine and we

them to this chemical atrazine and we

them to this chemical atrazine and we showed things like this and these are

showed things like this and these are

showed things like this and these are tests this and you don’t have to have a

tests this and you don’t have to have a

tests this and you don’t have to have a PhD you be a frog expert to see that

PhD you be a frog expert to see that

PhD you be a frog expert to see that there’s a difference between the control

there’s a difference between the control

there’s a difference between the control and they exposed animals the control

and they exposed animals the control

and they exposed animals the control test is if you look at under the

test is if you look at under the

test is if you look at under the microscope it’s full of sperm soldiers

microscope it’s full of sperm soldiers

microscope it’s full of sperm soldiers ready to go

ready to go

ready to go the atrazine treated don’t add our test

the atrazine treated don’t add our test

the atrazine treated don’t add our test is that testicular tubular fill with

is that testicular tubular fill with

is that testicular tubular fill with cellular debris well some more is if you

cellular debris well some more is if you

cellular debris well some more is if you look at the young developing larvae you

look at the young developing larvae you

look at the young developing larvae you often find sometimes these are the

often find sometimes these are the

often find sometimes these are the kidneys if you’re not used to looking at

kidneys if you’re not used to looking at

kidneys if you’re not used to looking at frog gonads that this is an individual

frog gonads that this is an individual

frog gonads that this is an individual that has testes then it has more ovaries

that has testes then it has more ovaries

that has testes then it has more ovaries than it has another test is then it has

than it has another test is then it has

than it has another test is then it has more over one pair get you in enough

more over one pair get you in enough

more over one pair get you in enough trouble this guy this situation is

trouble this guy this situation is

trouble this guy this situation is certainly not typical of amphibians

certainly not typical of amphibians

certainly not typical of amphibians there are fish that are naturally am

there are fish that are naturally am

there are fish that are naturally am Aphrodite but not in fib Ian’s we later

Aphrodite but not in fib Ian’s we later

Aphrodite but not in fib Ian’s we later show that some of these animals grow up

show that some of these animals grow up

show that some of these animals grow up even though their genetic males

even though their genetic males

even though their genetic males typically become completely functioning

typically become completely functioning

typically become completely functioning reproductive females even though there

reproductive females even though there

reproductive females even though there were genetic males we showed that in

were genetic males we showed that in

were genetic males we showed that in other species the coonass look like this

other species the coonass look like this

other species the coonass look like this so those that a test is on the top and

so those that a test is on the top and

so those that a test is on the top and all of that junk in the trunk on the

all of that junk in the trunk on the

all of that junk in the trunk on the bottom those are all eggs that are

bottom those are all eggs that are

bottom those are all eggs that are bursting through the surface of this

bursting through the surface of this

bursting through the surface of this males test is now I showed this to the

males test is now I showed this to the

males test is now I showed this to the Environmental Protection Agency because

Environmental Protection Agency because

Environmental Protection Agency because I thought they’d be interested after all

I thought they’d be interested after all

I thought they’d be interested after all it’s the number one selling chemical in

it’s the number one selling chemical in

it’s the number one selling chemical in the world at the time and they said well

the world at the time and they said well

the world at the time and they said well that’s not really an adverse effect that

that’s not really an adverse effect that

that’s not really an adverse effect that would stimulate us to reassess that

would stimulate us to reassess that

would stimulate us to reassess that chemical now my wife tells me that there

chemical now my wife tells me that there

chemical now my wife tells me that there is nothing more painful in life than

is nothing more painful in life than

is nothing more painful in life than childbirth I’m gonna have to give her

childbirth I’m gonna have to give her

childbirth I’m gonna have to give her that but I would guess that a dozen

that but I would guess that a dozen

that but I would guess that a dozen chicken eggs popping out of my testicles

chicken eggs popping out of my testicles

chicken eggs popping out of my testicles what have to be at least in the top five

what have to be at least in the top five

what have to be at least in the top five most painful experiences the EPA doesn’t

most painful experiences the EPA doesn’t

most painful experiences the EPA doesn’t think so I thought more about why this

think so I thought more about why this

think so I thought more about why this might happen so for example if this were

might happen so for example if this were

might happen so for example if this were your test ish you should make

your test ish you should make

your test ish you should make testosterone testosterone support

testosterone testosterone support

testosterone testosterone support Monteux you know I learned that word at

Monteux you know I learned that word at

Monteux you know I learned that word at age 49 so when you put two words

age 49 so when you put two words

age 49 so when you put two words together like smoke and fog you get smog

together like smoke and fog you get smog

together like smoke and fog you get smog twist and jerk you get to work

twist and jerk you get to work

twist and jerk you get to work testosterone means testicular hormone

testosterone means testicular hormone

testosterone means testicular hormone it’s literally two male hormone but we

it’s literally two male hormone but we

it’s literally two male hormone but we hypothesize that this after scene turned

hypothesize that this after scene turned

hypothesize that this after scene turned on an enzyme aroma taste that caused it

on an enzyme aroma taste that caused it

on an enzyme aroma taste that caused it to stas thrown to be converted to

to stas thrown to be converted to

to stas thrown to be converted to estrogen and if you’re a male that means

estrogen and if you’re a male that means

estrogen and if you’re a male that means that you’re using up your testosterone

that you’re using up your testosterone

that you’re using up your testosterone so you don’t make sperm but it also

so you don’t make sperm but it also

so you don’t make sperm but it also means that you’re making the female

means that you’re making the female

means that you’re making the female hormone when when you shouldn’t be so

hormone when when you shouldn’t be so

hormone when when you shouldn’t be so then I started to think we published

then I started to think we published

then I started to think we published that we published that in proceedings in

that we published that in proceedings in

that we published that in proceedings in a National Academy of Sciences and and

a National Academy of Sciences and and

a National Academy of Sciences and and nature very prestigious journals

nature very prestigious journals

nature very prestigious journals journals that that’ll get you a tenured

journals that that’ll get you a tenured

journals that that’ll get you a tenured professorship at a place like UC

professorship at a place like UC

professorship at a place like UC Berkeley but journal said as my mom says

Berkeley but journal said as my mom says

Berkeley but journal said as my mom says how important can it be Barnes and

how important can it be Barnes and

how important can it be Barnes and Nobles never heard of them and I started

Nobles never heard of them and I started

Nobles never heard of them and I started to think though about how my work might

to think though about how my work might

to think though about how my work might imply things beyond frog so this is a

imply things beyond frog so this is a

imply things beyond frog so this is a pond in Lake novel goblin agonda where I

pond in Lake novel goblin agonda where I

pond in Lake novel goblin agonda where I started to think that this agricultural

started to think that this agricultural

started to think that this agricultural runoff might not only affect the frogs

runoff might not only affect the frogs

runoff might not only affect the frogs and the fish but also the other animals

and the fish but also the other animals

and the fish but also the other animals that are drinking out of the water

that are drinking out of the water

that are drinking out of the water including the human set collected

including the human set collected

including the human set collected drinking and cooking water from this

drinking and cooking water from this

drinking and cooking water from this same source because see we all make

same source because see we all make

same source because see we all make estrogen in the exact same way and use

estrogen in the exact same way and use

estrogen in the exact same way and use it in the same way the connection to

it in the same way the connection to

it in the same way the connection to contaminants in water might not be so

contaminants in water might not be so

contaminants in water might not be so obvious for us that this is my village

obvious for us that this is my village

obvious for us that this is my village but things like Erin Brockovich a story

but things like Erin Brockovich a story

but things like Erin Brockovich a story and things like Flint Michigan remind us

and things like Flint Michigan remind us

and things like Flint Michigan remind us that we don’t necessarily have the

that we don’t necessarily have the

that we don’t necessarily have the resources that we think we have the

resources that we think we have the

resources that we think we have the clean sources of water a colleague of

clean sources of water a colleague of

clean sources of water a colleague of mine showed because I don’t study humans

mine showed because I don’t study humans

mine showed because I don’t study humans had to work with other people on this

had to work with other people on this

had to work with other people on this that if you look at men in Columbia

that if you look at men in Columbia

that if you look at men in Columbia Missouri and compare the atrazine in

Missouri and compare the atrazine in

Missouri and compare the atrazine in their urine

their urine

their urine you have atrazine in their urine have a

you have atrazine in their urine have a

you have atrazine in their urine have a low sperm count and can’t get their

low sperm count and can’t get their

low sperm count and can’t get their wives pregnant and by the way this is

wives pregnant and by the way this is

wives pregnant and by the way this is the same amount of atrazine point 1

the same amount of atrazine point 1

the same amount of atrazine point 1 parts per billion that we were using to

parts per billion that we were using to

parts per billion that we were using to chemically castrate and feminized our

chemically castrate and feminized our

chemically castrate and feminized our frogs another colleague showed and I’ve

frogs another colleague showed and I’ve

frogs another colleague showed and I’ve mashed it data down now because these

mashed it data down now because these

mashed it data down now because these are after seeing levels of men who work

are after seeing levels of men who work

are after seeing levels of men who work in the fields in California and these

in the fields in California and these

in the fields in California and these are after seeing levels of men who apply

are after seeing levels of men who apply

are after seeing levels of men who apply atrazine in California 2400 parts per

atrazine in California 2400 parts per

atrazine in California 2400 parts per billion

billion

billion they have 24,000 times the atrazine in

they have 24,000 times the atrazine in

they have 24,000 times the atrazine in their urine then we use to chemically

their urine then we use to chemically

their urine then we use to chemically castrate frogs and fish 24 thousand

castrate frogs and fish 24 thousand

castrate frogs and fish 24 thousand times what we know is already having a

times what we know is already having a

times what we know is already having a negative impact on men in Columbia

negative impact on men in Columbia

negative impact on men in Columbia Missouri one of these guys could pee in

Missouri one of these guys could pee in

Missouri one of these guys could pee in a bucket and I kept diluted 24 thousand

a bucket and I kept diluted 24 thousand

a bucket and I kept diluted 24 thousand times and use the anthracene in their

times and use the anthracene in their

times and use the anthracene in their urine to chemically castrate effeminate

urine to chemically castrate effeminate

urine to chemically castrate effeminate twenty four thousand buckets of 30

twenty four thousand buckets of 30

twenty four thousand buckets of 30 tadpoles each then a little boy who

tadpoles each then a little boy who

tadpoles each then a little boy who likes frogs learns phrases like

likes frogs learns phrases like

likes frogs learns phrases like environmental justice because most of

environmental justice because most of

environmental justice because most of these individuals are latina acts are in

these individuals are latina acts are in

these individuals are latina acts are in California Mexican Mexican America and

California Mexican Mexican America and

California Mexican Mexican America and then I thought about the impact that

then I thought about the impact that

then I thought about the impact that increasing estrogen would have on humans

increasing estrogen would have on humans

increasing estrogen would have on humans because the estrogen after seen has the

because the estrogen after seen has the

because the estrogen after seen has the same effect than human cells if you take

same effect than human cells if you take

same effect than human cells if you take human cancer cells and we’ve done some

human cancer cells and we’ve done some

human cancer cells and we’ve done some of this work that don’t normally make a

of this work that don’t normally make a

of this work that don’t normally make a Roma Tate’s or estrogen and give them a

Roma Tate’s or estrogen and give them a

Roma Tate’s or estrogen and give them a stir zine they start making estrogen

stir zine they start making estrogen

stir zine they start making estrogen just like we shown in fish and frogs and

just like we shown in fish and frogs and

just like we shown in fish and frogs and rats and reptiles and in birds what’s

rats and reptiles and in birds what’s

rats and reptiles and in birds what’s more is if you look at prostate cancer

more is if you look at prostate cancer

more is if you look at prostate cancer there’s an eight point four fold

there’s an eight point four fold

there’s an eight point four fold increase in prostate cancer in their

increase in prostate cancer in their

increase in prostate cancer in their factory where they make atrazine in a

factory where they make atrazine in a

factory where they make atrazine in a community that’s 80% black 80%

community that’s 80% black 80%

community that’s 80% black 80% african-american their studies showing

african-american their studies showing

african-american their studies showing that there’s correlations between

that there’s correlations between

that there’s correlations between atrazine and their drinking water and

atrazine and their drinking water and

atrazine and their drinking water and breast cancer in a sentence and women in

breast cancer in a sentence and women in

breast cancer in a sentence and women in Kentucky and that’s just a correlation

Kentucky and that’s just a correlation

Kentucky and that’s just a correlation but their own laboratory showed in 1994

but their own laboratory showed in 1994

but their own laboratory showed in 1994 that if you give rats atrazine you

that if you give rats atrazine you

that if you give rats atrazine you increase the incidence of mammary cancer

increase the incidence of mammary cancer

increase the incidence of mammary cancer or breast cancer above animals that

or breast cancer above animals that

or breast cancer above animals that aren’t exposed this is an interesting

aren’t exposed this is an interesting

aren’t exposed this is an interesting problem because breast cancer the number

problem because breast cancer the number

problem because breast cancer the number one cancer in women is estrogen

one cancer in women is estrogen

one cancer in women is estrogen dependent and this aroma taste that I’ve

dependent and this aroma taste that I’ve

dependent and this aroma taste that I’ve talked about produces the estrogen

talked about produces the estrogen

talked about produces the estrogen during breast cancer that stimulates

during breast cancer that stimulates

during breast cancer that stimulates those breast cancers to grow and divide

those breast cancers to grow and divide

those breast cancers to grow and divide and turn into tumors and spread in fact

and turn into tumors and spread in fact

and turn into tumors and spread in fact the role of aroma taste is so

the role of aroma taste is so

the role of aroma taste is so and breast cancer that the number one

and breast cancer that the number one

and breast cancer that the number one treatment for breast cancer right now is

treatment for breast cancer right now is

treatment for breast cancer right now is a chemical called letrozole it works by

a chemical called letrozole it works by

a chemical called letrozole it works by knocking out of Roma tastes decreasing

knocking out of Roma tastes decreasing

knocking out of Roma tastes decreasing estrogen so that even if you have

estrogen so that even if you have

estrogen so that even if you have cancerous cells they don’t grow and turn

cancerous cells they don’t grow and turn

cancerous cells they don’t grow and turn into a tumor that drug though has to

into a tumor that drug though has to

into a tumor that drug though has to work against the 80 million pounds of

work against the 80 million pounds of

work against the 80 million pounds of atrazine that we’re using every year

atrazine that we’re using every year

atrazine that we’re using every year that’s the number one contaminant of

that’s the number one contaminant of

that’s the number one contaminant of drinking water that does exactly the

drinking water that does exactly the

drinking water that does exactly the opposite I got in trouble because I

opposite I got in trouble because I

opposite I got in trouble because I pointed out that Novartis oncology in

pointed out that Novartis oncology in

pointed out that Novartis oncology in the year 2000 offered treatments for

the year 2000 offered treatments for

the year 2000 offered treatments for cancers that range from breast cancer so

cancers that range from breast cancer so

cancers that range from breast cancer so the same company that gave us 80 million

the same company that gave us 80 million

the same company that gave us 80 million pounds of this contaminant associated

pounds of this contaminant associated

pounds of this contaminant associated with breast cancer was also selling a

with breast cancer was also selling a

with breast cancer was also selling a chemical that does the opposite to treat

chemical that does the opposite to treat

chemical that does the opposite to treat breast cancer yeah they weren’t too

breast cancer yeah they weren’t too

breast cancer yeah they weren’t too happy about me pointing that out I

happy about me pointing that out I

happy about me pointing that out I became concerned I’m just a little boy

became concerned I’m just a little boy

became concerned I’m just a little boy who like front likes frauds but I became

who like front likes frauds but I became

who like front likes frauds but I became concerned because if you look at 13 the

concerned because if you look at 13 the

concerned because if you look at 13 the top 13 cancers you’re gonna get in this

top 13 cancers you’re gonna get in this

top 13 cancers you’re gonna get in this country blacks african-americans are

country blacks african-americans are

country blacks african-americans are more likely to get 11 out of 13 and more

more likely to get 11 out of 13 and more

more likely to get 11 out of 13 and more likely to die from 13 out of 13 biology

likely to die from 13 out of 13 biology

likely to die from 13 out of 13 biology my colleagues who are experts in Kansas

my colleagues who are experts in Kansas

my colleagues who are experts in Kansas tell me that the less than 30% of cancer

tell me that the less than 30% of cancer

tell me that the less than 30% of cancer can be explained by genetics that means

can be explained by genetics that means

can be explained by genetics that means that when the doctor tells you that

that when the doctor tells you that

that when the doctor tells you that you’re gonna get breast cancer more

you’re gonna get breast cancer more

you’re gonna get breast cancer more likely if your brother your sister your

likely if your brother your sister your

likely if your brother your sister your aunt or somebody in your family has it

aunt or somebody in your family has it

aunt or somebody in your family has it they’re not telling you have bad genes

they’re not telling you have bad genes

they’re not telling you have bad genes necessarily they’re telling that you’ve

necessarily they’re telling that you’ve

necessarily they’re telling that you’ve been exposed to the same crap as the

been exposed to the same crap as the

been exposed to the same crap as the rest of your family because if you’re a

rest of your family because if you’re a

rest of your family because if you’re a minority if you’re an immigrant if

minority if you’re an immigrant if

minority if you’re an immigrant if you’re first-generation if you’re

you’re first-generation if you’re

you’re first-generation if you’re low-income you’re more likely to live in

low-income you’re more likely to live in

low-income you’re more likely to live in and more likely to work in areas where

and more likely to work in areas where

and more likely to work in areas where you’re exposed to chemicals that we know

you’re exposed to chemicals that we know

you’re exposed to chemicals that we know are associated without adverse health

are associated without adverse health

are associated without adverse health outcomes what’s more is with the ception

outcomes what’s more is with the ception

outcomes what’s more is with the ception of HeLa cells that the cancer cells that

of HeLa cells that the cancer cells that

of HeLa cells that the cancer cells that we use to study cancer don’t come from

we use to study cancer don’t come from

we use to study cancer don’t come from minorities so even if we find the cure

minorities so even if we find the cure

minorities so even if we find the cure kommen it may not be applicable to

kommen it may not be applicable to

kommen it may not be applicable to people who would need it the most so I

people who would need it the most so I

people who would need it the most so I think what’s happened is my interest in

think what’s happened is my interest in

think what’s happened is my interest in this aquatic organism has taught me a

this aquatic organism has taught me a

this aquatic organism has taught me a great deal about this aquatic organism

great deal about this aquatic organism

great deal about this aquatic organism because we all start out as aquatic in

because we all start out as aquatic in

because we all start out as aquatic in the amniotic fluid and these chemicals

the amniotic fluid and these chemicals

the amniotic fluid and these chemicals that I study in my tadpoles can cross

that I study in my tadpoles can cross

that I study in my tadpoles can cross the placenta in fact we now know that

the placenta in fact we now know that

the placenta in fact we now know that you that your children will be exposed

you that your children will be exposed

you that your children will be exposed over 300 synthetic chemicals before they

over 300 synthetic chemicals before they

over 300 synthetic chemicals before they leave the womb and most of them we have

leave the womb and most of them we have

leave the womb and most of them we have no eye

no eye

no eye dia what the biological impact is for

dia what the biological impact is for

dia what the biological impact is for after thing we do know from rats which

after thing we do know from rats which

after thing we do know from rats which are a proxy for us that if you give rats

are a proxy for us that if you give rats

are a proxy for us that if you give rats atrazine an epa lab showed those rats

atrazine an epa lab showed those rats

atrazine an epa lab showed those rats are more likely to have an abortion of

are more likely to have an abortion of

are more likely to have an abortion of those rats that don’t have an abortion

those rats that don’t have an abortion

those rats that don’t have an abortion the sons are born with prostate disease

the sons are born with prostate disease

the sons are born with prostate disease of those rats that don’t abort the

of those rats that don’t abort the

of those rats that don’t abort the daughters are born with impaired memory

daughters are born with impaired memory

daughters are born with impaired memory development such that when they grow up

development such that when they grow up

development such that when they grow up their offspring experience retarded

their offspring experience retarded

their offspring experience retarded growth and development and it was these

growth and development and it was these

growth and development and it was these studies that move me to most it made me

studies that move me to most it made me

studies that move me to most it made me realize I can’t just be a little boy who

realize I can’t just be a little boy who

realize I can’t just be a little boy who likes frogs because see that rat on the

likes frogs because see that rat on the

likes frogs because see that rat on the bottom that rat on the bottom never saw

bottom that rat on the bottom never saw

bottom that rat on the bottom never saw atrazine the rat on the bottom was

atrazine the rat on the bottom was

atrazine the rat on the bottom was affected by atrazine that it’s

affected by atrazine that it’s

affected by atrazine that it’s grandmother was exposed to rat on the

grandmother was exposed to rat on the

grandmother was exposed to rat on the bottom never saw atrazine the rat on the

bottom never saw atrazine the rat on the

bottom never saw atrazine the rat on the bottom was affected by atrazine that

bottom was affected by atrazine that

bottom was affected by atrazine that it’s grandmother was exposed to so when

it’s grandmother was exposed to so when

it’s grandmother was exposed to so when i think about my little girl my son the

i think about my little girl my son the

i think about my little girl my son the fact that my grandchildren that your

fact that my grandchildren that your

fact that my grandchildren that your grandchildren could be affected by

grandchildren could be affected by

grandchildren could be affected by chemicals that were using today it moved

chemicals that were using today it moved

chemicals that were using today it moved me in a very different way than just a

me in a very different way than just a

me in a very different way than just a little boy who likes frogs it’s just a

little boy who likes frogs it’s just a

little boy who likes frogs it’s just a correlation but we already know studies

correlation but we already know studies

correlation but we already know studies have already been done by the Center for

have already been done by the Center for

have already been done by the Center for Disease Control and others that if you

Disease Control and others that if you

Disease Control and others that if you get pregnant during peak anthracene

get pregnant during peak anthracene

get pregnant during peak anthracene contamination you’re more likely to have

contamination you’re more likely to have

contamination you’re more likely to have babies with birth defects including

babies with birth defects including

babies with birth defects including malformed genitals in the mail babies

malformed genitals in the mail babies

malformed genitals in the mail babies the EPA has acknowledged this but they

the EPA has acknowledged this but they

the EPA has acknowledged this but they say quote a monetary value is assigned

say quote a monetary value is assigned

say quote a monetary value is assigned to disease impairments and shortened

to disease impairments and shortened

to disease impairments and shortened lives and weighed against the benefits

lives and weighed against the benefits

lives and weighed against the benefits of keeping it chemical and use a

of keeping it chemical and use a

of keeping it chemical and use a monetary value if you look at California

monetary value if you look at California

monetary value if you look at California I’m often giving this talk outside of :

I’m often giving this talk outside of :

I’m often giving this talk outside of : in California where the fifth or seventh

in California where the fifth or seventh

in California where the fifth or seventh depends on you talk to you largest

depends on you talk to you largest

depends on you talk to you largest economy in the world because of

economy in the world because of

economy in the world because of agriculture not because of tech or or

agriculture not because of tech or or

agriculture not because of tech or or Hollywood we produce 50% of the us’s

Hollywood we produce 50% of the us’s

Hollywood we produce 50% of the us’s food half of the us’s food comes from

food half of the us’s food comes from

food half of the us’s food comes from California as a result we use more

California as a result we use more

California as a result we use more pesticides than any other state and 90%

pesticides than any other state and 90%

pesticides than any other state and 90% of the workers are Latinas if I put in

of the workers are Latinas if I put in

of the workers are Latinas if I put in red here the top ten counties for

red here the top ten counties for

red here the top ten counties for agriculture these are the counties to

agriculture these are the counties to

agriculture these are the counties to 30% that makes us the fifth

30% that makes us the fifth

30% that makes us the fifth this economy in the world what if I plot

this economy in the world what if I plot

this economy in the world what if I plot unto that the thirty poorest towns in

unto that the thirty poorest towns in

unto that the thirty poorest towns in California environmental justice so the

California environmental justice so the

California environmental justice so the people who make us the fifth largest

people who make us the fifth largest

people who make us the fifth largest economy in the world are the same people

economy in the world are the same people

economy in the world are the same people who are paying that cost that the EPA

who are paying that cost that the EPA

who are paying that cost that the EPA talks about and so when I thought about

talks about and so when I thought about

talks about and so when I thought about this is a little boy who likes frogs it

this is a little boy who likes frogs it

this is a little boy who likes frogs it motivated me to cross the line

motivated me to cross the line

motivated me to cross the line so to speak Crocs in that line cost me

so to speak Crocs in that line cost me

so to speak Crocs in that line cost me the chemical manufacturers set out to

the chemical manufacturers set out to

the chemical manufacturers set out to discredit me with personal attacks they

discredit me with personal attacks they

discredit me with personal attacks they said hey is biologist turned activist

said hey is biologist turned activist

said hey is biologist turned activist turned activist a turn you can’t be a

turned activist a turn you can’t be a

turned activist a turn you can’t be a scientist and an activist

they tried to discredit me but when they

they tried to discredit me but when they were interviewed by New Yorker magazine

were interviewed by New Yorker magazine

were interviewed by New Yorker magazine I said it simply wasn’t true I must be

I said it simply wasn’t true I must be

I said it simply wasn’t true I must be crazy I must be making it up they said

crazy I must be making it up they said

crazy I must be making it up they said and I quote I am troubled by a

and I quote I am troubled by a

and I quote I am troubled by a suggestion that we have ever tried to

suggestion that we have ever tried to

suggestion that we have ever tried to discredit anyone our focus has always

discredit anyone our focus has always

discredit anyone our focus has always been on communicating the science and

been on communicating the science and

been on communicating the science and setting the record straight I am

setting the record straight I am

setting the record straight I am troubled at the suggestion that we’ve

troubled at the suggestion that we’ve

troubled at the suggestion that we’ve ever tried to discredit anyone we’re an

ever tried to discredit anyone we’re an

ever tried to discredit anyone we’re an earth what I’ve got an idea that they

earth what I’ve got an idea that they

earth what I’ve got an idea that they tried to discredit me well it turns out

tried to discredit me well it turns out

tried to discredit me well it turns out they settled out of court 105 million

they settled out of court 105 million

they settled out of court 105 million dollar lawsuit and all of their secrets

dollar lawsuit and all of their secrets

dollar lawsuit and all of their secrets strike their secret like how are we

strike their secret like how are we

strike their secret like how are we gonna get Tyron notes came out from

gonna get Tyron notes came out from

gonna get Tyron notes came out from their meetings their strategy became

their meetings their strategy became

their meetings their strategy became public and look what the first goal of

public and look what the first goal of

public and look what the first goal of the science was in their program where

the science was in their program where

the science was in their program where on earth did anybody get the idea that

on earth did anybody get the idea that

on earth did anybody get the idea that they would ever try to discredit anyone

they would ever try to discredit anyone

they would ever try to discredit anyone I had to make a change

I had to make a change

I had to make a change academia my adviser told me don’t be an

academia my adviser told me don’t be an

academia my adviser told me don’t be an advocate let the science speak for

advocate let the science speak for

advocate let the science speak for itself

itself

itself but I had to think about this that we’re

but I had to think about this that we’re

but I had to think about this that we’re being rewarded in the ivory tower

being rewarded in the ivory tower

being rewarded in the ivory tower promoted for publishing things that the

promoted for publishing things that the

promoted for publishing things that the public doesn’t have access to I changed

public doesn’t have access to I changed

public doesn’t have access to I changed my mind about this philosophy because

my mind about this philosophy because

my mind about this philosophy because agenda the company says on your website

agenda the company says on your website

agenda the company says on your website they assume no obligation to update

they assume no obligation to update

they assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect

forward-looking statements to reflect

forward-looking statements to reflect actual results pardon my language but

actual results pardon my language but

actual results pardon my language but who says like that but what

who says like that but what

who says like that but what concerns me more is that the EPA says

concerns me more is that the EPA says

concerns me more is that the EPA says that the ultimate decision of whether or

that the ultimate decision of whether or

that the ultimate decision of whether or not to ban after scene is much bigger

not to ban after scene is much bigger

not to ban after scene is much bigger than science it weighs in public opinion

than science it weighs in public opinion

than science it weighs in public opinion and I thought the EPA is counting on my

and I thought the EPA is counting on my

and I thought the EPA is counting on my mom the EPA is counting on you to help

mom the EPA is counting on you to help

mom the EPA is counting on you to help it make its decision and I’m publishing

it make its decision and I’m publishing

it make its decision and I’m publishing my work in journal said you can’t get in

my work in journal said you can’t get in

my work in journal said you can’t get in Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble we have to change the way we do things

we have to change the way we do things

we have to change the way we do things in the ivory tower there’s the

in the ivory tower there’s the

in the ivory tower there’s the philosophy by a great thinker that goes

philosophy by a great thinker that goes

philosophy by a great thinker that goes like this those who have the privilege

like this those who have the privilege

like this those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act

this guy said that by the way and I

this guy said that by the way and I didn’t grow up privileged I don’t know

didn’t grow up privileged I don’t know

didn’t grow up privileged I don’t know about you all I know is that now I’m

about you all I know is that now I’m

about you all I know is that now I’m here now you are here you are privileged

here now you are here you are privileged

here now you are here you are privileged and you have a duty and I’ve reason that

and you have a duty and I’ve reason that

and you have a duty and I’ve reason that we can change the path but only if we

we can change the path but only if we

we can change the path but only if we act now while it is still the future

”

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