Question

A 7 yr old medical research study reported that woman whose mothers took the drug DES during pregnancy were twice as likely to develop tissue abnormalities that might lead to cancer as were woman whose mothers did not take the drug.

This study involved comparison of two populations. What were the populations?

Answer 1

The two populations compared in the medical research study are women whose mothers took the drug DES during pregnancy and those whose mothers did not. DES is known as a teratogen, a substance that can lead to congenital abnormalities such as tissue abnormalities with cancer potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to a medical research study that investigates the link between prenatal exposure to the drug DES (Diethylstilbestrol) and the development of tissue abnormalities in female offspring that could lead to cancer. The two populations involved in the comparison are:

• Women whose mothers took DES during pregnancy.
• Women whose mothers did not take DES during pregnancy.

DES is a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications during the mid-twentieth century before its teratogenic effects were discovered.

Teratogens are substances that can cause congenital abnormalities or birth defects. In addition to DES, examples of teratogens include thalidomide, alcohol, illegal drugs, some medicines, and environmental pollutants. The study of teratogens is crucial for understanding and preventing potential birth defects and developmental problems in the offspring due to exposure to these harmful substances during pregnancy.