Theo Colborn
Senior Scientist, World Wildlife Fund, USA

"Thousands of nonscientists are now aware of the role of environmental contaminants that mimic or interfere with natural chemicals that tell an embryo how to develop from the moment of conception to birth, from infancy to puberty, and to adulthood; chemicals that have become known as endocrine disrupters."

We live in an industrial society which uses over 100,000 discrete chemicals. Approximately 2500 new chemicals are brought onto the market each year, only 15 of which are even partially tested. Think of all the additives and preservatives we eat each day. The plastic containers we use and discard, the dry cleaning chemicals, carpets, cars and perfumes we produce and consume. Each person in the world today has between 500 and 600 chemicals in their bodies not found in humans just 50 years ago. Scientists are discovering that while most of these chemical are innocuous, many are extremely dangerous and function as endocrine disrupters in the human body. Young children, particularly in utero are especially vulnerable. Dr. Theo Colborn, a senior program scientist of the Worldwide Life Fund, USA, manages the wildlife and contaminants program at the Fund. She has done more than perhaps any other single person to bring the dangers of chemical contaminants, specifically endocrine disrupters, to public awareness. She began her investigation in the late 1980's in the United States. Researching animal populations, she discovered that while they seem to look healthy, they often did not reproduce, reach sexual maturity or live to adulthood. These effects were traced to the existence in their bodies of a cluster of organochlorine chemicals which were found in their food chain due to human chemical pollution. These chemicals are found everywhere in the world and effect even the albatross of the North Pacific. This research culminated in a massive study on the issue which was made intelligible to the lay public in a book Dr. Colborn co-authored entitled, "Our Stolen Future" now translated into over a dozen languages. "Our Stolen Future" is catalyzing worldwide interest in an issue that affects people and animals everywhere.