The offspring of mice that breathed unfiltered, polluted air inherited mutations twice as often from their fathers as the offspring of mice who breathed HEPA filtered air or rural air. The researchers suggest in the May 14 Science that the culprits are microscopic airborne particles of soot and dust that frequently have toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons attached. (Scientific American, July 2004)

Marv has lived in some badly polluted cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City. Maybe we should stick to our one child policy after all.

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