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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 14, 1979)
Page 7 M researcher studies hazards THE BATTALION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1979 ffect of diving on fetuses studied ts of birth defects among chil- women scuba divers have red a Texas A&M University ist into stepping up studies on ; air!; potential dangers of “bends” to > after: fetus, especially in early stages flak ji; pregnancy. IS not [(Biologist William Fife says recent Tiarinfljdical surveys show four major letaclith defects among babies of 25 sen who divered deeper than lean id ®et, while pregnant, an alarm- memfct; ifte of 16 percent. •ositiorf The total number of birth defects was still more than 6 percent when adjusted to the entire group of pregnant divers studied, about 200. As a result, Fife and his team of researchers at Texas A&M have changed the emphasis of hyperbaric (high pressure chamber) studies here, going into high gear to gather information on hazards of scuba di ving to the unborn child. “We know the bends are a greater risk to the fetus than to the mother,” an ic what’s up Thursday MOVIE: “Carrie,” starring Cissy Spacek, will be shown at 8:45 p.m. f in the Grove Theater. (R). COWBOY KELLY ART EXHIBIT RECEPTION: Will be held from j3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the MSC Gallery. Friday 10VIE: “Annie Hall,” starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen, hwill be shown at 8:45 p.m. in the Grove Theater. (PG). nutiouMIDNIGHT MOVIE: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” will be - A n-"*lshown in the Grove. (PG). uilt [APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM: The Physical Plant 'nitedii Department of Texas A&M is accepting applications for the 1979 afterapprenticeship training program which offers training for carpen- ,a Perwaters, electricians, air conditioning and heating mechanics, elec- ■ tronic technicians, plumbers, sheetmetal works, painters and au- is-Rei:Br| tomotive mechanics. Interested persons should contact the Physi- ) milliMcal Plant. fleuraBjADUATING SENIORS: Graduation announcements can be or- 1 “’e W(] erec [ through e 15 in Room 217, MSC between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ■ ft 0 ™ 5 *! weekdays. s was^Ip State: ■ of th# Saturday TOnuH the UmDVIE: “Fun With Dick and Jane,” will be shown at 8:45 p.m. in the W® the Grove Theater.(PG). asldngjB Sunday JoVIE: “The Three Muskateers,” will be shown at 8:45 p.m. in the ! Grove Theater. (PG). says Fife. “Deep diving could kill the baby in the womb or cause mal formation without the other ever knowing it.” Under a $5,000 supplemental grant just received from Texas A&M’s Sea Grant College Program, the group has expanded its studies with sheep, which have placental blood systems very close to that of humans. Results could affect an estimated 200,000 certified women scuba dives already in the United State, along with the approxiately 20,000 women divers who join those ranks annually. Of the total, about 2,000 are instructors and another 200 to 250 are scientific or commercial di vers who also don tanks on a regular basis, sometimes for dives more than 100 feet. Originally funded by Sea Grant to develop more accurate diving tables that take both men and women into account, Fife has convinced others of the importance of research to find answers to questions about pregnant divers. The lack of knowledge about di ving’s effects on the unborn and the conclusions of the birth defect study have prompted the Underwater Medical Society, of which Fife is a member, to recommend that all women who are pregnant or even think they are pregnant not dive at all until some questions are de ciphered. In the research, Fife and Texas A&M students will subject sheep to simulated dives in pressure cham bers at the university’s hyperbaric lab in order to recreate dives which may result in bends in the fetus. They will now try to zero in on fetuses in the first trimester of de velopment, he explains, although the study will include sheep near the end of pregnancy to augment other work carried out last year. “The early stages are, of course, when many women might not know they are pregnant and are still di ving,” notes Fife. “More important, we just don’t know the answer to some questions. For example, we know that the mother’s diving in the third trimes ter increases the workload on the baby’s heart, but we don’t know if that is bad for a short time. “We also know that the uterine artery reduces the blood flow during a dive to protect the baby from too much oxygen, but we don’t know if the resulting buildup of carbon dioxide is harmful. “In adults, this buildup makes them more predisposed to get the bends,” continues Fife. “If bubbles develop in the early M embryo, it is highly possible they could damage one or two cells that eventually would have developed into major portions of the brain or another vital organ. The missing hand on one of the four babies may have been caused this way.” He says no long-term data exist, and it might take thousands of human cases to establish concrete facts on the possible ills. Basic re search now being carried out with animals may save families much grief. Tournaments at A&M Pool Skateboarding Bridge Ping Pong If you are interested in planning and/or participating, come to room 140 MSC on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. MSC SUMMER PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE Be PRESCRIPTION STEREO 3602 OLD COLLEGE ROAD BRVAN, TEXAS 77801 MAKE All LFs 80c Over Dealer Cost Every Day! Discwasher & Sound Guard Products! Best Sound Around In Car Stereo — PIONEER & JENSEN Speakers CLARION, SANYO & BLAUPUNKT Tape Decks The Automotive Stereo Center in B*CS When you think of Automotive Stereo 9 think of Stereo—you deserve it.” lo Something ir Your Career: Investigate Learning b Fly With Our ipecial DISCOVERY JGHT... Only $10001 If you want to give your career a boost, come on out and get the full story of how you can get your pilot’s license through our Cessna Pilot Center Program. It’s the most efficient pilot training system in the world. While you’re with us you can actually fly an airplane by taking our special, DISCOVERY FLIGHT. 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