Teratology????
February 20, 2008 by deborah
Filed under Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Womens' Issues
According to Wikipedia teratology (from the Greek words meaning monster or marvel and speech) was first referenced in the 17th century in reference to prodigies and marvels, or of anything so extraordinary as to seem abnormal. In the 19th century, teratology acquired a meaning relating to biological deformities, mostly in the field of botany. Today, teratology refers to the medical study of teratogenesis or congenital malformations. Another term for this is dysmorphology, meaning “the study of abnormal form.
Interestingly, the use of teratology as a medical term was popularized in the 1960s by Dr. David W. Smith of the University of Washington Medical School, one of the researchers who became known in 1973 for naming Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. With greater understanding of the origins of birth defects, the field of teratology now overlaps with other fields of basic science, including developmental biology, embryology, and genetics.
The National Organization of Teratology Information Services maintains national and international research studies on its website which could be useful references when advocating for FASD and other causes of developmental disabilities.
Great post, teratology is such an important message. I’ve been doing a lot of reading-up. When I was pregnant, my OB introduced me to a skin care company called Belli-they are the only company in the world that teratology screens their ingredients to ensure they are safe for pregnancy. And here I thought EVERYONE had to do that!