Genetic Flap

The finding of chromosome abnormalities in residents of the Love Canal area was hardly surprising. It has long been known that the 46 pairs of rodlike structures that carry the genetic message in the nuclei of human cells can be damaged by environmental factors, including certain chemicals. When that happens, the message may become jumbled, possibly increasing the risk of cancer. Some scientists say chromosome damage may also be linked with birth defects and spontaneous abortion. But were the tests conducted by Houston's Biogenics Corp. for the EPA a true index of genetic mayhem from Love Canal?

Biogenics examined lymphocytes, or white blood cells, from 36 residents. In eleven it found problems--fragments of chromosomes, aberrant rings formed out of broken chromosome bits. That suggested 30% had chromosome damage, compared with less than 1% nationally. But other scientists considered the tests far from conclusive. They had been given to people who already had health complaints rather than to a random sampling of Love Canalers. Nor did Biogenics follow the usual procedure of comparing the results with studies of cells from a control group of similar age and sex. Other factors--radiation, drugs or viruses--could have produced similar results.

Confronted by this criticism, Biogenics' scientific director, Dante Picciano, refused to cooperate with EPA in an independent review. He also challenged the assertion that the study was biased toward those already ill: "We did not know who was sick and who wasn't. The people were selected primarily on the basis of where they lived."

Whatever the case, shortly after the Biogenics findings became public, the results of another incriminating study were disclosed. Two Buffalo researchers, Drs. Beverly Paigen and Stephen Barren, found hints of peripheral nerve damage (as indicated by the slowing of electrical impulses through the nerves) and related ailments, in a group of 35 Love Canal residents.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.