Podcast Summary
Discussing environmental toxins, chest feeding, and the evolutionary mystery of male nipples: Doctors Brett Weinstein and Heather Heying explored environmental toxins' impact on amphibians and potential effects on mammals, introduced chest feeding, and debated the evolutionary reason for male nipples. They updated their livestream schedule, announced a Q&A session, and promoted ethical, health-conscious choices and Paleo Valley's organic beef sticks.
During this episode of the Dark Horse Podcast, doctors Brett Weinstein and Heather Heying discussed various topics including environmental toxins affecting amphibians and their potential impact on mammals, chest feeding, and the evolutionary mystery of why males have nipples. They also announced changes to their livestream schedule, including no longer having chats during the broadcasts and instead hosting watch parties at locals starting July 19th. The doctors also mentioned an upcoming guest episode and encouraged listeners to submit questions for a Q&A session. Additionally, they promoted their sponsor, Paleo Valley, and their 100% grass-fed and finished, entirely organic beef sticks, which are free from harmful additives and chemicals. The doctors emphasized the importance of making health-conscious choices and supporting companies with ethical practices.
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Uncruise's All-Inclusive Alaska Sailing Experience with Discount: Be cautious of chemicals like atrazine, despite media or industry promotion, as they may pose health risks, especially for fetuses and children.
Uncruise offers an all-inclusive sailing experience in Alaska with high-quality food, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, and various activities like hiking, kayaking, and skiff touring. The deal includes $500 off their current cruises, which can be combined with other savings. However, the discussion also touched upon a concerning trend in the mainstream media, where some individuals or organizations, who are perceived to be on the left, are now promoting the use of herbicides like atrazine, despite its potential health risks. The EPA considers atrazine a chlorinated triazine systemic herbicide used to control grasses and broadleaf weeds before they emerge, with the highest use on field corn, sweet corn, sorghum, and sugarcane. However, some basic science research has been warning of its dangers for decades, including endocrine disruption and the development of hermaphroditic individuals in some species of frogs. The discussion referenced a 2002 research paper by Tyrone Hayes, a researcher from the University of California, Berkeley, who has been studying the effects of atrazine since the late 1990s. The takeaway is that it's essential to be aware of the potential risks of commonly used chemicals, even if they are promoted by some in the media or industry, and to prioritize keeping contaminants away from fetuses and children.
Disrupting frog sex development with low doses of atrazine: Low doses of atrazine can impact frog sex development, potentially affecting humans due to shared hormonal pathways.
Low doses of the herbicide atrazine, which is widely used in agriculture, can disrupt the sex development and hormonal balance in various species of frogs, leading to hermaphroditism and demasculinization. This disruption happens even at levels below what was previously considered ecologically relevant. The implications of these findings are significant, as the mechanisms of sex determination in frogs and humans share commonalities despite separate evolutionary paths. The hormonal pathways involved in masculinization and feminization have existed long before the last common ancestor of frogs and humans. Therefore, it's essential to question the presumption of safety versus harm when dealing with pesticides, as their biological activity can disrupt organisms in unpredictable ways, potentially affecting human health as well. These studies demonstrate the importance of understanding the potential impacts of environmental contaminants on sexual development and endocrine systems, even at seemingly insignificant levels.
The complex relationship between plants and insects: The production of effective and safe insecticides is challenging due to insects' ability to evolve resistance and the harmful effects on other organisms, including humans.
The long-standing battle between plants and insects has led to the development of complex toxins in plants and remarkable detoxification abilities in insects. This makes controlling pests with insecticides challenging, as insects can evolve resistance to these chemicals. The production of effective and safe insecticides is further complicated by the fact that many of these chemicals have harmful effects on other organisms, including humans. Older research indicates that some environmental contaminants can disrupt hormonal systems in vertebrates, leading to sex ratio reversals and feminization. The use of these chemicals, despite known risks, is a concern, especially when regulatory agencies may be influenced by corporate interests. In summary, the intricate relationship between plants and insects has resulted in a complex web of toxins and resistances, making the production of effective and safe insecticides a significant challenge.
Environmental contaminants disrupt sex hormones in various species: Environmental contaminants like DDT and Chlor Triazine can impact sex hormones, leading to developmental abnormalities and reproductive issues. Impact varies between species, with insects having evolved detoxification mechanisms and frogs being more susceptible to water and air contamination.
Environmental contaminants like DDT and Chlor Triazine have been shown to disrupt the development and function of sex hormones in various species, including alligators, rats, and even some frogs. These contaminants can act as potent androgen or estrogen receptor agonists, leading to developmental abnormalities and reproductive issues. However, the impact on different species varies. For instance, while insects, which are the primary targets of these toxins, have evolved mechanisms to detoxify them, frogs, which are not herbivores, are less exposed and may be more resistant. The world is divided into male and female, and mechanisms exist to maintain this binary system. Plants have evolved to disrupt insect physiology as a survival strategy, but it's challenging to significantly impact their reproduction. Frogs, which eat insects, may be exposed to these toxins through their food but are less directly affected due to the insects' detoxification abilities. However, as amphibians, they are susceptible to contamination in their water and air environments. Overall, these environmental contaminants have been linked to various health issues in wildlife and humans, emphasizing the importance of understanding their effects and minimizing exposure.
Pesticides like atrazine can harm fetuses despite placenta protection: Atrazine and other pesticides can persist in the environment for decades and disrupt endocrine systems, causing reproductive issues in various organisms, including humans. Some trusted news sources downplay the risks, but it's essential to stay informed and advocate for stricter regulations.
The placenta, which usually protects the fetus, may not be able to shield it from pesticides like atrazine that have become prevalent in the environment due to their long-term persistence. This is a concern because these chemicals can disrupt endocrine systems and have been linked to reproductive issues in various organisms, including humans. For instance, a study published in 2011 showed that atrazine and its metabolites can persist in water and soil for decades and have caused endocrine disruption in other vertebrates. Despite this, some trusted news sources continue to downplay the risks associated with these chemicals, dismissing concerns raised by researchers and advocacy groups. For example, an article in The New York Times accused Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of promoting falsehoods when he linked chemical exposures to gender dysphoria, but the evidence suggests otherwise. It's crucial to stay informed about the potential health risks of pesticides and to advocate for stricter regulations to protect human health and the environment.
Industry-funded pest management journal may favor business interests: The relationship between industry funding and scientific research in the field of pest management raises questions about objectivity and credibility.
The field of pest management science, as represented by the journal with the same name, can be seen as an industry-funded platform for publishing research that favors business interests over environmental and health concerns. The Society of Chemical Industry, which publishes this journal, has a tagline of "where business meets science," suggesting a prioritization of commercial interests. This dynamic is reminiscent of criticisms leveled against certain fields in the humanities, such as grievance studies, for producing research that serves to legitimize industry practices. In the case of atrazine, a herbicide, research on its potential health and environmental effects has been published in this journal, but its findings may be biased in favor of the industry due to the journal's affiliation with the Society of Chemical Industry. This raises questions about the objectivity and credibility of research in this field, and highlights the need for a critical examination of the relationship between industry funding and scientific research.
Regulatory agencies and scientific research influenced by corporate interests: Regulatory agencies can prioritize corporate profits over public safety, compromising their integrity and putting public health at risk. Individuals must be aware of these limitations and take responsibility for their own safety.
The integrity of regulatory agencies and scientific research can be compromised for political or corporate interests, putting public health at risk. The discussion highlights the case of atrazine, a herbicide that was banned in the European Union due to health concerns but continued to be used in the United States despite evidence of industry influence on regulatory decisions. This influence included private meetings between regulatory officials and the manufacturer, Syngenta, and the establishment of advisory committees without public representation. The public's trust in regulatory agencies to protect their health and wellbeing is undermined when these agencies prioritize corporate profits over public safety. The false sense of security that comes with the presence of regulatory agencies can lead to a dangerous exposure to harmful substances. It is crucial for individuals to take responsibility for their own safety and be aware of the limitations of regulatory agencies.
Short-term safety obsession vs long-term health and environmental concerns: Our current safety system prioritizes instantaneous safety, often neglecting long-term health and environmental hazards. It's essential to advocate for safety testing and regulations, and to default to avoiding potentially harmful substances until thoroughly tested.
Our current system, which empowers lawyers to pursue causes of action and seek remedies for harm, can lead to an obsession with instantaneous safety at the expense of long-term health and environmental concerns. This mismatch between short-term and long-term safety can result in a feeling of being overprotected from minor risks while being ignored of subtle, delayed hazards that can have significant, negative impacts on health and the environment. Opting out of these risks is nearly impossible due to the pervasive nature of these processes and products. Despite the challenges, it's crucial to advocate for safety testing and regulations to protect human health and the environment in the long term. The default position should be to opt out of potentially harmful substances until they have been thoroughly tested for safety. Additionally, the academic and regulatory environments should be more transparent and accessible to the public to facilitate informed decision-making.
Dangerous Substances and Practices: Despite efforts to prevent harm, industries with perverse incentives make it challenging to eliminate dangerous substances and practices, leading to a decline in overall health and attractiveness.
The world is filled with dangerous substances and practices, and it's nearly impossible for individuals to eliminate them completely from their lives due to the influence of industries with perverse incentives. The precautionary principle, which assumes that potential harm should be prevented before it occurs, is a logical approach, but it's challenging to implement effectively. The lack of control over academic, legislative, and regulatory environments allows these industries to disrupt efforts to protect public health and safety. This situation is unfortunate, as it has led to a decline in overall health and attractiveness compared to previous generations. One interesting question that arises in this context is the evolutionary purpose of male nipples. While it's a fascinating topic, it's challenging to test hypotheses about this feature since males without nipples don't exist. To help navigate these complex issues, evolutionary biologists have developed tests to determine whether certain traits are likely to be the result of adaptive evolution. These tests, while not perfect, can help guide our understanding of the natural world.
Non-adaptive traits with hidden benefits: Seemingly unnecessary structures or traits in organisms may persist due to underlying benefits, even if their immediate function seems redundant or non-adaptive. Evidence of protective mechanisms can confirm this hypothesis.
The presence of seemingly unnecessary structures or traits in organisms, such as the sail on a pelycosaur or male nipples, can be explained through the lens of adaptive evolution. These complex structures have an expense and persist over evolutionary time because they provide a benefit to the organism that exceeds that cost. The hypothesis is that even if a trait seems non-adaptive or redundant, there may be underlying mechanisms that protect it from being eliminated. The case of male nipples suggests that there might be a protective mechanism preventing their elimination due to the essential role of milk production in raising offspring. The test to confirm this hypothesis would be to find evidence of a protective mechanism that prevents the elimination of genes involved in nipple production. This would indicate that these genes have been conserved through evolution, making them less susceptible to experimental changes.
Discussion on CDC's use of 'chest feeding' term and its potential impact on infants: The CDC's use of 'chest feeding' term in their glossary entry for breastfeeding raises concerns about politicization and potential disregard for infant welfare. Biological complexities of lactation and implications for infants when non-traditional methods are used were discussed.
The CDC's glossary entry on breastfeeding and chest feeding raises concerns about the politicization of scientific terminology and potential disregard for the welfare of vulnerable populations. The discussion also touched upon the biological complexities of lactation and the potential implications for infants when non-traditional methods of feeding are employed. The speaker argued that the CDC's entry, which includes the term "chest feeding" to describe milk production in individuals without mammary tissue, could have serious consequences for the babies involved, as it might undermine the established biological fact that breast milk is best for newborns. The speaker expressed disappointment in the CDC's apparent lack of consideration for the potential impact on infants in this context. Additionally, the speaker mentioned the possibility of male bats lactating in the wild, which could challenge the notion that breast tissue is fundamentally different from latent mammary tissue. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of maintaining scientific accuracy and prioritizing the well-being of infants in discussions surrounding breastfeeding and alternative methods of feeding.
Impact of Hormones on Decision to Have a Child: Prioritize having a child over personal feelings, as hormonal effects can have long-term impacts on anatomy and pregnancy, and maternal love and child's needs should be the priority.
Hormones have both activational and organizational effects on the body, and the decision to have a child should be prioritized over personal feelings of gender identity. The activational effects of hormones are temporary, while organizational effects can have long-term, irreversible impacts on anatomy and physiology. If a person has taken testosterone and then decides they want to become a mother, it's crucial to consider the potential effects on both the pregnancy and the child. Maternal love and the well-being of offspring should be the priority, and if a person cannot sacrifice for their child, they should not become a parent. The discussion also touched on the potential harm to a child if they are exposed to inappropriate behavior or imagery, and the importance of selflessness and prioritizing the child's needs in parenthood.
Small steps leading to unexpected consequences: Societal norms and technological advancements can lead to practices or products with unintended harmful or absurd consequences. Be aware of these shifts and consider their potential impacts carefully.
Societal norms and technological advancements can open doors to unexpected consequences, sometimes leading to practices or products that may be harmful or absurd. Using the examples of language around breastfeeding and the use of Roundup in agriculture, we can see how small steps can lead to significant changes. In the case of breastfeeding, the need to be inclusive led to the term "chest feeding," which has now been adopted by some men. While the intention was to respect transgender individuals, it has opened the door for a practice that is biologically meaningless for men. Similarly, the introduction of Roundup Ready crops allowed for the widespread use of Roundup, which was later discovered to be effective as a desiccant for wheat. This use of Roundup on wheat, which is turned into food, is orders of magnitude more concerning than its use on cucumber plants before they bear fruit. Both examples illustrate how small changes can have unintended and far-reaching consequences. It's essential to be aware of these shifts and consider their potential impacts carefully.
Impact of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health: Endocrine disruptors in herbicides and pesticides are causing significant health disruptions, despite lacking immediate symptoms, and we need to expand our understanding of environmental impacts on health and prioritize research.
Our use of herbicides and pesticides, which contain endocrine disruptors, is having a significant impact on human health, despite the lack of immediate visible symptoms. These chemicals, while not explicitly targeting the endocrine system, are still causing disruptions that we cannot fully comprehend due to a lack of proper education and understanding of biology. The cost of these insults is massive, and the rise in indicators of poor health is a result of the widespread use of these chemicals in our lands, water, and bodies. Furthermore, there are other forms of disruption, such as light levels and noise pollution, which can also have destructive effects on our health that we do not intuit. We need to expand our understanding of the ways in which our environment can impact us and prioritize research into the long-term effects of these disruptions.
Perverse incentives can hinder efforts to recognize indirect harm: Despite challenges, it's crucial to advocate for what's best and engage in discussions on relevant topics, using resources like Darkhorseumissions.com, Naturalselections.substack.com, and Locals, while supporting sponsors like Paleo Valley, MD Hearing, and UnCruise. Appreciate simple joys and stay informed to make a difference.
Our intuitions about potential harm can be inaccurate, making it easy for those with perverse incentives to hinder efforts to recognize and address indirect yet profound harm. The ongoing argument about such harm is a significant concern, as those with perverse incentives often have the power to overpower our ability to establish its negative impact. Despite the challenges, it's crucial to keep advocating for what's best for us, even if it feels like an uphill battle. Additionally, there are various resources and platforms available to engage in discussions and learn more about relevant topics. Websites like Darkhorseumissions.com, Naturalselections.substack.com, and Locals offer opportunities for meaningful conversations and access to valuable information. Supporting sponsors like Paleo Valley, MD Hearing, and UnCruise is another way to contribute to the ongoing discourse. Lastly, remember to appreciate the simple joys in life, such as being good to those we love, eating good food, and getting outside. By staying informed, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and focusing on the positive, we can make a difference and overcome the challenges we face.
In this episode, we're joined by Monica Schmitt, Director of Mission Beelieve, an organization dedicated to using beekeeping as a therapeutic and vocational resource for veterans and first responders. Monica, talks about how her enjoyment of beekeeping led her to discover how beekeeping can be used as an therapeutic tool, aiding in the mental health and well-being of those who have devoted their lives to serving our country.
