Th Shrimp Scampi Project is part of the OHEEI of Environmental Genomics Inc. It was initiated by students from Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, MA to assess the adverse health effects to the environment , wildlife , pets, seafood, and people, caused by the antimicrobial and herbicide Glyphosate (G) and other endocrine disrupting chemical s (EDCs) like metals and Bisphenol A (BPA). These EDCs are associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), obesity, diabetes, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodevelopment, congenital malformations, neural tube defects (NTDs) and autism. Exposure to these EDCs cause changes in epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.
Shrimp is the favorite seafood of Americans, most of the shrimp we eat is imported , causing a yearly ~ US$4.5 billion trade deficit. Although shrimp viruses (WSSV, IHHNV) and metals have been detected in frozen shrimp sold at MA supermarkets, no official compulsory testing of contaminants in imported seafood is performed. The goal s of Shrimp Scampi project are to (a) perform an in-depth review of the scientific literature about epigenetic mechanisms associated with exposure to EDCs like Glyphosate (G) , metals, and BPA , and (b ) detect the levels of these EDCs in frozen shrimp sold at US supermarkets.
The effects of G lyphosate (G) alone and 14 of its formulations in plant and human cell s were reviewed . Petroleum-based compounds in herbicides were highly more toxic than G. Arsenic , chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel were found in the pesticide formulations.
Preliminary results on the concentrations of metals and G in frozen shrimp sold at MA supermarkets will be presented. All three epigenetic mechanisms have been reported associated with exposure of shellfish, fish and people to metals, G and BPA . Methylation changes are associated with AMR (G); obesity, diabetes and cancer (BPA, G) and exposure of animals to G and BPA during development .
Increased monitoring of EDCs in imported shrimp is recommended. Research is needed to understand transgenerational epigenetic inheritance associated with reproductive toxicity after exposure of shellfish and fish to EDCs.