|
Two senior US government scientists,
Drs. Daniel Doerge and Daniel Sheehan, have revealed that chemicals in
soy could increase the risk of breast cancer in women, brain damage in
both men and women, and abnormalities in infants.
-
The scientists decided to break ranks with colleagues
in the FDA and oppose its decision last year to approve a health claim
that soy reduced the risk of heart disease.
-
They wrote an internal protest letter warning
of 28 studies revealing toxic effects of soy, mostly focusing on chemicals
in soy known as isoflavones, which have effects similar to the female
hormone estrogen.
-
They claim that research has shown a clear link
between soy and the potential for adverse effects in humans.
-
Soy may lead to health problems in animals including
altering sexual development of fetuses and causing thyroid disorders.
-
Some studies show that chemicals in soy may increase
the chances of estrogen-dependent breast cancer.
According to their letter:
According to one of the scientists, parents who give
their children soy milk or formulas "are exposing their children
to chemicals which we know have adverse effects in animals. It's like
doing a large uncontrolled and unmonitored experiment on infants.'
The soy industry insists that the adverse effects
seen in animals do not apply to humans.
The
Guardian August 13, 2000
| 