Progeny [October 1, 2004]
This week’s episode takes place in a small town whose main source of income is derived from a large chemical plant. Fourteen of the
town’s children have become sick with a mysterious illness. Two children have died.
As part of the team discusses possible causes of the children’s symptoms including
chronic fatigue syndrome and
fibromyalgia, other team members check into
possible chemical environmental contaminants from the chemical plant, as well as
regulations enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. CDC’s National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides the public with various databases and other resources concerning
chemical safety.
As the investigation proceeds, the team discovers that each of the children was conceived by in vitro fertilization. For more
information, read reports concerning assisted reproductive technology.
The mystery is solved as Dr. Conner uncovers an example of one of the basics principles of
genetics.
|