Question

Part one: Read the Williams & Ross (2007) article. Define the term teratogen. What are the most salient threats to the prenatal environment in contemporary society and how might such threats be eliminated?

Answer 1

Teratogen is an entity leading to the embryo's malformation. Such an entity/ aspect disturbs the natural/ obvious development of the foetus or the embryo and creates a defect in the foetus.

Illegal/ harful drugs, alcohol, nicotine are some of the examples of teratogens.

Addiction of the SSRIs and Cannabis, addiction of alcohol and deeper inclination towards smoking are indeed the serious issues/ problems in the contemporary society. Even the educated and well civilisied have fallen a pray/ victim of these addictions.

Strong anxiety and a form of depression called as maternal depression are other root reasons/ threats to the prenatal development.

Stress due to financial aspects, conflicts, disturbances in family and the spouses may also act against the natural blossoming of the embryo.

Proper counselling by the therapist, cultivating obviousness in day to day life, being away from addictions, getting involved in a constructive hobby, realising and experiencing Mother Nature, leaving junk food and scattering and reflecting sense of humour are the best solutions that may eliminate the above mentioned threats to the prenatal environment in contemporary society