This NPR article describes the results of a very interesting study on a dramatically increased incidence of an 'intersex' condition - and most prevalently found in SMB and LMB:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112888785

The nine-year study found this condition in 33% of SMB and 18% of LMB, with even higher incidence in the southeast where 70-90% of fish were found in an intersex condition.

Researchers are not sure precisely of the cause, but here is an excerpt paragraph: "...experiments in laboratories point to certain chemicals, especially a group loosely called "estrogenic compounds." These mimic the behavior of natural sex hormones — estrogens — in the body. These can come from pharmaceuticals like birth control pills, or agricultural runoff loaded with pesticides, as well as an ingredient in plastic."

Apparently, the condition does not appear to prevent reproduction, and the fish are still safe to eat.

I've come to have great respect for the experience and expertise of pondboss contributors and moderators. I'm wondering what your thoughts and opinions are in this regard.

I recently ran into an acquaintance who had went through a bout with cancer and beat it. He told me about the vast quantities of pain killers they had given him (he had throat cancer); he said he had way more than he could ever use especially considering that he didn't like to take such medications.

I commented that those kind of drugs were a dangerous thing to have laying around. I followed up with him wondering how he could safely get rid of the pills (I think some of the stuff he mentioned was similar to oxycontin (sp?)).

He then told me that when his mother passed, she had many kinds of persription drugs left over in her house, and it was all reported to her doctors. So someone was sent over to properly dispose of all the unused drugs. That person just opened every container and dumped the contents into the toilet and flushed them. My acquaintence was blown away, but with the passing of his mother, he didn't dwell on it.

He said that a month or so later, he saw some special on TV blowing the whistle on that "flushing" method of diposal and that perhaps now, the practice was abandoned.

In my limited knowledge, I think the causes stated in the study are believable.

My home fishing water the Potomac River is home to many intersex bass...

I once read an article about that in fathead minnows that were being used as some test subjects in Texas. However, intersex was not supposed to be part of the test.