Introduction of the Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009 commended

The Endocrine Society commends Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for introducing the Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 4190; S. 2828). The bill, endorsed by the Society, amends the Public Health Service Act by authorizing the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct a research program on endocrine disruption aimed at preventing and reducing the production of and the public's exposure to harmful chemicals.

The legislation reflects the findings and recommendations of The Endocrine Society's peer-reviewed Scientific Statement (http://www.endo-society.org/journals/scientificstatements/) on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) released by the Society this past June. The Scientific Statement presents evidence that endocrine disruptors—substances that interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism or action—impact health resulting in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.

"We congratulate Rep. Moran and Sen. Kerry for their leadership on this critical and global public health issue that has the potential to affect every living being," said Robert A. Vigersky, MD, president of The Endocrine Society. "This bill has tremendous impact because, in addition to focusing on the need for immediate and comprehensive research, it invokes a regulatory response to subsequent findings."

The Endocrine Society is confident that, upon passage by Congress, implementation of this legislation will advance scientific research in the field of EDCs and will improve the regulatory process by ensuring that it is informed by the best EDC science.

Just last month, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates adopted an Endocrine Society resolution (http://www.endo-society.org/media/press/2008/AMAAdoptsSocietyResolution.cfm) calling for new government policies to decrease public exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Adoption of this resolution means that it is now AMA policy and is wholly supported by the House of Medicine.