Methoprene and Eye Deformities
University of California, Berkeley
[ Berkeley Research ] * [ Hartwick College Research ]
Dr. James LaClair and Dr. Jack Bantle wondered if
methoprene that was exposed to sunlight could cause deformities in frogs. They
knew from earlier tests that fresh methoprene did not cause frog deformities, so
they did an experiment to see if sunlight could make methoprene more dangerous.
The Experiment
Dr. LaClair and Dr. Bantle exposed fresh methoprene to
sunlight. Then they raised some African Clawed Frog tadpoles in water that had
some of the sunlight-treated methoprene added it to it. They also raised some
tadpoles in water with fresh methoprene that had not been exposed to sunlight.
The Results
Here are photos of the heads of the frogs from Dr. LaClair
and Dr. Bantle's experiment.
Image courtesy of Dr. James LaClair
Photo A is a frog treated with fresh methoprene. This is
what a normal frog looks like at this age. Photos B,C,D, and E are all frogs
that were exposed to methoprene that had been left in the sun. You can see how
the eyes are deformed or almost missing.
Experiments like this one show that sunlight-treated methoprene can cause some deformities in frogs. Other scientists have discovered that high levels of methoprene all by itself can kill young tadpoles. But the scientists who are testing methoprene still have not been able to produce the types of limb deformities found in Minnesota.
Original Article: http://wise.berkeley.edu/WISE/evidence/167.html
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