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A Plague of Frogs--Study Questions to accompany the book.
CHAPTER 8: Choosing Sides
1. What are the two views that people could take in thinking about the world?
2. Explain why chemicals are under a “perpetual cloud of suspicion?”
3. Describe the class of chemicals designed to alter our environment?
4. Distinguish between Type I and Type II errors and their impact on society.
5. Why is there no “silver bullet” in solving this scientific mystery?
6. Discuss the pros and cons of parasitic infestation versus chemical contamination of the environment.
7. Explain how research science is analogous to medieval fiefdoms.
8. Why did Burkhart want to develop a “paired study”?
9. What did Lucier consider “wishful thinking”?
10. What as the ultimate question developed by Burkhart during 1997 for NIEHS to study?
11. What was the enormous assumption hiding within Burkhart’s strategy?
12. What protocol is used in deriving a molecular signature?
13. How would using molecular signatures be applicable to this investigation?
14. What would an ideal bioassay question have been for Burkhart’s investigation?
15. What did Scoff believe was causing the deformities?
16. Explain the possibility that methoprene could be the culprit in the case of the deformed frogs?
17. How was methoprene being used in the environment?
18. Trace the pathway of methoprene in the ecosystem?
19. What is the function of a pesticide?
20. Describe a Type One error.
21. Describe a Type Two error.
22. What is the function of the NIEHS?
23. What is the function of the Alternative Systems Group?
24. Give an example of a paired study.
25. Describe the process of fractionation.
26. What does it mean for a chemical compound to have a signature?
27. Describe the effects-based approach.
28. What does FETAX stand for?
29. How is methoprene used in society?
30. What happened to pregnant women who took accutane in the early 80's?
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