Erections: Viagra and Rum!

[Goddess of the Rums]

It's official. Men are really the weaker sex. More and more data is appearing that the many pesticides and other chemicals in our environment - some used in growing sugarcane - seem to have a greater effect on the male sex.

"This research shows that the basic male tool kit is under threat," says Gwynne Lyons, a former government adviser on the health effects of chemicals, who wrote the report.

Wildlife and people have been exposed to more than 100,000 new chemicals in recent years, and the European Commission has admitted that 99 per cent of them are not adequately regulated. There is not even proper safety information on 85 per cent of them.

Many have been identified as "endocrine disrupters" – or gender-benders – because they interfere with hormones. These include phthalates, used in food wrapping, cosmetics and baby powders among other applications; flame retardants in furniture and electrical goods; PCBs, a now banned group of substances still widespread in food and the environment; and many pesticides.

The report – published by the charity CHEMTrust and drawing on more than 250 scientific studies from around the world.

It concludes: "Males of species from each of the main classes of vertebrate animals (including bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) have been affected by chemicals in the environment.

"Feminisation of the males of numerous vertebrate species is now a widespread occurrence. All vertebrates have similar sex hormone receptors, which have been conserved in evolution. Therefore, observations in one species may serve to highlight pollution issues of concern for other vertebrates, including humans."

With all respect to our male members (pun intended), down your rum before your rum downs you, lol! And welcome to Dori!

[Pyrate Surgeon]

Perhaps those mammals who possess a penial bone are more genetically advanced. Hmm...interesting thought. Would lend legitimacy to some descriptive terms, but cause a massive monetary loss to a number of pharmaceutical companies. Another business having to seek a bail-out loan from the government...all for a bit of bone and cartilage...