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bananas

(27,509 posts)
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 01:10 PM Apr 2014

Anti-Depressants In The Water Supply: 'Dramatic' Side-Effects Blight Aquatic Wildlife Fertility

Source: Huffington Post UK

Tiny quantities of anti-depressants are affecting the fertility of aquatic wildlife such as crustaceans and molluscs, a new study has shown.

Scientists say they are becoming increasingly aware that drugs like Prozac and Sertraline, the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, are having an impact on aquatic life.

The new research has shown that lower than expected concentrations of the drugs in the water will affect the behaviour and biological make-up of these creatures, including changing colour, growing bigger and reproducing more.

In some cases, a lower concentration affected them more than a higher dose.

Dr Alex Ford, a marine biologist from the University of Portsmouth who has led the research published in the journal Aquatic Toxicology, said: "There is a staggering list of prescription drugs passed from humans to wastewater treatment plants and into receiving streams, estuaries, or oceans by direct consumption, metabolism, and excretion or by toilet flushing of old prescriptions.

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Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/02/antidepressants-aquatic-wildlife_n_5075386.html

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Anti-Depressants In The Water Supply: 'Dramatic' Side-Effects Blight Aquatic Wildlife Fertility (Original Post) bananas Apr 2014 OP
That's depressing flamingdem Apr 2014 #1
Yet there's a funny aspect, too frazzled Apr 2014 #3
By golly! Plucketeer Apr 2014 #6
So does depression and anxiety. ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2014 #4
I guess that's a good thing Plucketeer Apr 2014 #5
It sucks. ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2014 #7
+1 progressoid Apr 2014 #9
I don't think anyone wishes to withhold lifesaving medication from you or anyone else BrotherIvan Apr 2014 #10
K&R DeSwiss Apr 2014 #2
Top researchers have been saying for over 15 years that low fertility rates truedelphi Apr 2014 #8

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
3. Yet there's a funny aspect, too
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 01:27 PM
Apr 2014

The lobsters and clams get anti-depressants, and they start reproducing more. That's ripe for satire, no matter how much I agree how harmful to wildlife and the environment this is.

 

Plucketeer

(12,882 posts)
6. By golly!
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 02:13 PM
Apr 2014

The little microbes in our septic tank have to be a carefree bunch! I have to say I envy them - literally buried in shit and smiling about it the whole time!

ForgoTheConsequence

(4,846 posts)
4. So does depression and anxiety.
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 01:45 PM
Apr 2014

Maybe we'll have a breakthrough one of these days but until then these drugs help immensely.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
10. I don't think anyone wishes to withhold lifesaving medication from you or anyone else
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 05:55 PM
Apr 2014

But I do object to the explosion of prescriptions for minor complaints or that have shown little effectiveness in treating the problem, such as statins, antibiotics for a virus or in non-life threatening cases, and steroids. In the case of anti-depressants, doctors are prescribing them for any number of symptoms which could be treated much more easily and effectively with lifestyle changes and counseling. If someone complains of sadness or stress, they are given a pill. I was even offered a prescription to deal with grief from the death of a family member. I must have had the oddest, most quizzical look on my face when I asked how a medication would help with something every person must face? Was I supposed to drug myself until enough time passed so I didn't notice my parent died?

Many European countries are taking them off the drug schedules because they have found little to no effectiveness for mild cases of depression. A vet offered Prozac to my cat when we couldn't figure out why he wasn't using his litter box. Changed his litter instead. Another vet decided my other cat had OCD and that's why he was scratching himself to death but we found out it was a food allergy. Friends have disobedient children on them, some women I know use them as appetite suppressants for weight loss.

The trouble is, doctors treat them as if they are these benign little candies with little side effects, not informing their patients of the harm of abrupt cessation or violent/suicidal thoughts. Also, the small number of people taking them for necessary conditions, like you, are not enough to alter the water supply. It is the boom in overall drugs and prescription taking by millions that is becoming a huge problem.

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)
8. Top researchers have been saying for over 15 years that low fertility rates
Wed Apr 2, 2014, 03:28 PM
Apr 2014

Will soon be apparent. While news stories cover the fact that research findings clearly indicate that among reptilian life, pesticides and other toxins in streams, ponds and lakes have affected the size and functioning of male genitalia, what the public doesn't seem to understand is that what happens in the animal kingdom eventually happens to us.

And that was before Don Huber, a top researcher emeritus from Monsanto, started finding many reasons to believe that RoundUp-impacted soils will further increase the rates of infertility among human beings.

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