1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"The Bad Daddy Factor" by Emily Anthes.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Dec. 10, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Over the last half-century, as scientists learned more and more about how women could safeguard their developing fetuses — skip the vodka, take your folate — few researchers even considered the possibility that men played a role in prenatal health. It would turn out to be a scientific oversight of significant proportions. A critical mass of research now demonstrates that environmental exposures — from paints to pesticides — can cause men to father children with all sorts of abnormalities. Drinking booze, smoking cigarettes, taking prescription medications and even just not eating a balanced diet can influence the health of men's future kids. In the several decades since Friedler started her work, the idea that chemicals in a man's environment can influence the health of his future children has, she says, "moved from lunatic fringe to cutting edge." So why don't we ever hear about it?
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I used online databases to obtain dozens of peer-reviewed scientific papers on the connection between men's environmental exposures and fetal health.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Lengthy interviews with scientific researchers studying the subject area, as well as with political scientists and government employees about why men's reproductive health has been overlooked for so long.
6. Results (if any).
Increased awareness of how men's diets and lifestyles may affect the health of their future children.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don't give up–I pitched the story several places before it ended up at Miller-McCune. I think it's a terribly important story, so I refused to take 'no' for an answer. I'm glad I persisted.