Queer Results: Mercury in Diet Turns Birds Gay

Open Magazine ^ | 21-27 Dec 2010 | TCA Sharad Raghavan

[indcons]

If the birdlife on earth didn’t have enough to worry about, like dwindling habitats, air pollution and the hostile ecosystem of cities, they now have the added perplexity of going gay. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Florida and Peradeniya University in Sri Lanka found that relatively low doses of methylmercury in the diet of male ibises resulted in their pairing up with each other, snubbing the females, to the extent of building nests together (in other words, moving in together).

Methylmercury has been seeping into groundwater from industries for ages now.

[indcons]

Money quote from this article:

"Alright, so humans may not be affected, but the question most bird lovers would be asking is: can this effect be reversed, can gay birds become straight again

The answer: 'We do not know! Unfortunately, our study ran out of funding before we could do the necessary experiments to determine this,' says Frederick."

[dfwgator]

I can't imagine why.

[vladimir998]

See? It’s an illness.

[King Moonracer]

Who is Freddie Mercury for $100, Alex.

[onona]

You hit downright hilarious on the first reply.

Who can compete with that ??

Still LMAO

[indcons]

LOL - excellent

[Perdogg]

GMTA

[Will88]

Unfortunately, our study ran out of funding

Well, this sounds like a perfect project for a congressional earmark. We'll see how long the earmark ban lasts. Just get in touch with Florida's Senator Nelson.

[pennboricua]

Who was Freddie Mercury for a three dollar bill, Alex.

[boomop1]

I hope my blue birds come back at least the straight ones I bought them a new house.

[JoSixChip]

Proves again, homosexuality is a sickness.

[southernnorthcarolina]

I can't imagine why.

I was thinking more along the lines of the original Mercury...

[jmcenanly]

Mercury is well known for causing brain damage. In the 19th century, the phrase. "Mad as a Hatter' came from the prevalence of mental illness of hatters who worked with mercury in the preparation of fur hats.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Do they still use mercury in rectal thermometers?

[yoe]

Ya reckon all those curly-que Chinese light bulbs now in our land fills and Lord knows where else will contribute to the demise of the bird population?

[mrsmel]

Mommy took their temperature a lot when they were kids.

[traderrob6]

Trivia question of the day....what’s Freddy Mercury’s real name. You must show how your answer was achieved

First person that logs on to Wikepedia get’s ZOTTED!.

[WOSG]

He shoots, he scores!
LOL.

[Safetgiver]

OOOH, Deethuth! My fiilligth are coming out.!!

[cameraeye]

At least he didn’t get braces. Think what that would have done to him? (sarc)