Hi everybody,
 
Sorry about being off topic, but this weekend I was talking about this
subject to an Australian friend of mine that had been involved in
capturing snakes for anti venom labs back in the fifties.
 
She told me that a scientist that was involved in a frog breeding
program had washed some dishes before he immersed his hands in his
tanks. The result was that the breeding mechanism became "corrupted",
and they had to start again with fresh animals. He was convinced that
small amounts of dish detergent had had a disastrous effect on the
breeding.
 
That detergent like substances are used in contraceptives, seems to
indicate dangers about cell walls being damaged. How small an amount
is harmful? and does anyone know if such substances can accumulate in
the environment?
 
I can probably get more details if anyone is interested. I have not
been able to find anything on the net, and I wonder if any experiments
have been set up to test this.
 
Would detergents also have effects on the protective mucus in snails?
(So I'm trying to be on topic after all :-) )
 
Regards,
 
John Hooker
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