I am writing to file a complaint on a news article that was published online in your web site dated June 15, 2015. The article, entitled “Laguna de Bay’s woes worsen as lake now harbors toxic fish” and written by Marvyn N. Benaning, presented incorrect and
misleading information (about my
studies on Laguna de Bay). To wit:
• That “eating carp and other fish harvested from Laguna de Bay may be dangerous to your sex life”;
• That my research studied “the impact of E2 on the feminization of bighead carp and other fish species in Laguna de Bay”;
• That the estrogen polluting the lake “was the main reason why male fish eventually lost their testes”;
• That I and my research team “theorized that the same effects could visit [sic] humans who consume fish laced with E2”; and
• That at the E2 levels present in the lake “the fish population would be affected since only females would survive.”
Attached is a copy of my journal article, “Vitellogenin induction and gonad abnormalities in male common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus) introduced to Laguna de Bay, Philippines,” which Benaning referred to in his news item. You may notice that it did not explicitly state nor suggest the ideas floated by Benaning. With regard to the research project “Food safety implications of contaminated fish in coastal communities in Laguna de Bay,” our report is still undergoing technical review by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture and has yet to be published.
Likewise, the above-mentioned statements have not been stated nor suggested by me in the various scientific fora where I have had the opportunity of presenting my research results. I have always reiterated the importance of conducting further research to determine the effect of 17ß-estradiol (E2) in fish populations in the lake, all the more its impact in fish-eating communities. As veterinarians whose studies mainly involve animals, the extrapolation of our research results to humans is difficult and should always be carefully considered.
Benaning could have gotten in touch with me to confirm these statements or to give light to his queries. However, he has failed to do so. I hope he understands the social and economic implications that his news article has raised. My co-researchers and I are saddened that our findings have been sensationalized and used for politicking.
I hope that you will take appropriate action to rectify these mistakes.
Dr. Michelle Grace V. Paraso
Chairman
Office of the Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine University of the Philippines
Los Baños