This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 147/6/s4    most recent Author Manuscript (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Crews, D. Articles by McLachlan, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Crews, D. Articles by McLachlan, J. A.

Epigenetics, Evolution, Endocrine Disruption, Health, and Disease

Section of Integrative Biology (D.C.), University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712; and Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory (J.A.M.), Center for Bioenvironmental Research, at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: David Crews, Section of Integrative Biology, 2400 Speedway, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712. E-mail: crews{at}mail.utexas.edu.

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment have been linked to human health and disease. This is particularly evident in compounds that mimic the effects of estrogens. Exposure to EDCs early in life can increase risk levels of compromised physical and mental health. Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in this process. Transgenerational consequences of EDC exposure is also discussed in both a proximate (mechanism) and ultimate (evolution) context as well as recent work suggesting how such transmission might become incorporated into the genome and subject to selection. We suggest a perspective for exploring and ultimately coming to understand diseases that may have environmental or endocrine origins.