WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A panel of governmental, academic and non-
profit scientists speaking today at the annual meeting of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
unveiled research suggesting that diseases found in dolphins are
similar to human diseases and can provide clues into how human
health might be affected by exposure to contaminated coastal
water or seafood. “Dolphins and humans are both mammals, and
their diet includes much of the same seafood that we consume.
Unlike us, however, they are exposed to potential ocean health
threats such as toxic algae or poor water quality 24 hours a
day,” said Carolyn Sotka of the NOAA Oceans and Human Health
Initiative and lead organizer of the session. “Our ecological
and physiological similarities make dolphins an important
‘sentinel species’ to not only warn us of health risks, but also
provide insight into how our health can benefit from new medical
discoveries.” “Marine animal and ecosystem health are connected
to public health and well-bein