Could the Birth Control Pill Be Killing Our Fish?

Today we are going to listen to the first episode of a recent CBC Quirks & Quarks, and not only talk about the issues it raises, but also use it as an example for the expectations for our Culminating Assignment.

Every day in Canada, estrogen, from millions of birth control pills, is flushed down the toilet and into our rivers and lakes. And according to a new study from the University of New Brunswick, it could be killing our fresh water fish. Researchers put estrogen into an experimental lake, and it led to the near-extinction of the fathead minnows - even though the estrogen was at tiny concentrations. And that had a dramatic impact on the lake's entire ecosystem.

Use this information organizer to gather your thoughts and supporting evidence.

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