What has science been telling us?
  What does history reveal?
 

  "Current evidence for the beneficial effects of soy requires a full understanding
  of potential adverse effects as well."

  Dr D Doerge, scientist from the National Center for Toxicological Research.
  _____________________________________________________
  Quoted here are many of the scientific research studies on soy spanning the
  years 1925 through 2001.
 

  Soy Blocks Vitamin and Mineral Absorption

  Studies indicate that soy (organic and non-organic) causes increased
  requirements for vitamins E, K, D and B12. Phytic acid from SPI (soy protein
  isolate) blocks the absorption of essential minerals and creates deficiency
  symptoms of calcium, magnesium, magnesium, copper, molybdenum, iron,
  manganese and especially zinc -in the intestinal tract. (2) This may be
  contributing to the early onset of osteoporosis in Japan, starting there as early
  as age 20 versus age 34 in the USA. (1b) Also test animals fed SPI developed
  enlarged organs, particularly the thyroid gland and pancreas, and caused
  increased deposition of fatty acids in the liver.

  Soybeans have one of the highest phytate levels of any grain or legume.
  Phytates in soy are highly resistant to normal phytate-reducing techniques such
  as long, slow cooking. Only long periods of fermentation will greatly reduce
  soy's phytate levels, but will not eliminate them.

  Soy has natural toxins or anti-nutrients.

  Soybeans contain potent enzyme inhibitors that block the action of trypsin and
  other enzymes needed for protein digestion. These inhibitors are not completely
  deactivated during ordinary cooking. They can produce serious gastric distress,
  reduced protein digestion and create chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptakes.
  In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors also caused enlargement and
  pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer. (4,5)

  Soy contains haemaglutinin, which is a clot-promoting substance that causes
  red blood cells to clump together, setting the stage for clogged arteries and
  stroke.

  Endocrine-disrupting isoflavones, genistein and daidzein are goitrogenic
  components found in soy. In vitro studies suggest isoflavones inhibit synthesis
  of estradiol and other steroid hormones. Infertility, reproductive problems,
  thyroid and liver disease due to dietary intake of isoflavones have been observed
  for several species of animals including mice, cheetah, quail, pigs, rats, sturgeon
  and sheep. (5)

  100 grams of soy protein - the maximum suggested cholesterol lowering dose -
  can contain almost 600mg of isoflavones, an undeniably toxic amount. Only 45
  mg of isoflavones taken daily for one month, in pre-menopausal women,
  reduced hormones needed for adequate thyroid function. In some of the
  women, these effects lingered for 3 months after soy consumption was
  discontinued.

  The Swiss Health Service, in 1992, estimated that 100 grams of soy protein
  provides the estrogenic equivalent of one birth control pill.

  Processing of soy adds even more toxins

  Much soy is acid washed in aluminium tanks, leaching high levels of aluminium
  into the final product. Nitrites, potent carcinogens, are formed during
  spray-drying, and toxic lysinoalanine is formed during alkaline processing.
  Artificial flavourings, particularly MSG are added to SPI and textured vegetable
  protein (TVP) products to mask their strong, "beany" taste and to impart the
  flavour of meat. (9)

  Cancer and DNA damage

  Thousands of women are now consuming soy in the belief that it protects them
  against breast cancer. Yet in 1996, researchers found that women consuming
  soy protein isolate (SPI) had an increased incidence of epithelial hyperplasia, a
  condition that preceded malignancies. Additionally, genistein was found to
  stimulate breast cells to enter the breast cancer cycle. ( 5,7,8,) Since 1993, soy
  has been known to cause DNA damage, chromosome fragmentation and errors
  in chromosome orientation. (5,3) (4) Soy products may increase breast cancer
  in pregnant women.(3)

  Soy advertisers collectively claim lower rates of reproductive cancers for
  Japanese and Asians eating soy, while ignoring the fact that these people also
  have much higher rates of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas
  and thyroid, particularly as soy causes these same types of cancer in laboratory
  rats.

  Brain - Aging and learning disabilities

  Japanese Americans living in Hawaii show a significant statistical relationship
  between two or more servings of tofu a week and accelerated brain aging
  (atrophy).

  Participants in another study who ate tofu in mid-life had lower cognitive
  function in later life, experienced greater incidence of Alzheimer's disease and
  dementia and looked older. There is strong evidence linking brain damage to
  infants using soy formulas. (3) (5)

  Soy infant formula

  Daily exposure of infants to isoflavones in soy infant formula is 6 to 11 times
  higher on body-weight basis than the dose that has negative hormonal side
  effects in adults consuming soy foods.

  Approximately 25 per cent of bottle-fed children in the US receive soy-based
  formula - a much higher per cent than in other parts of the Western world.
  Toxicologist Dr Mike Fitzpatrick estimated that infants exclusively fed soy
  formula receive the estrogenic equivalent (based on body weight) of at least 5
  birth controls pills per day. By contrast, almost no phyto-estrogens have been
  detected in dairy-based infant formula or in human milk, even when the mother
  consumes soy products.

  In the 1986 Puerto Rico Premature Thelarche Study, the most significant
  dietary association with premature sexual development was not chicken, as the
  press reported, but soy infant formula.

  Early maturation in girls is frequently an indicator of problems with their
  reproductive system in later life, including failure to menstruate, infertility,
  breast cancer and possibly uterine cancer. (8) Problems in both sexes associated
  with soy-based infant formula later in life also include extreme emotional
  behaviour, immune system problems, pituitary insufficiency, irritable bowel
  syndrome, asthma, thyroid disorders including thyroid problems in babies and
  infantile leukaemia. 

  Thyroid problems

  Asians throughout the world have high rates of thyroid cancer. Japanese
  researchers reported in 1991 that consumption of as little as 30 grams or 2
  tablespoons of soybeans per day for only one month resulted in significant
  decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone. Diffuse goiter and hypothyroidism
  appeared in some of the subjects and many complained of fatigue, lethargy and
  constipation, even though their intake of iodine was adequate. (5)

  Soy warning labels, for medical reasons

  The USA's FDA ignored two of their own expert research scientists, Daniel
  Sheehan, PhD and Daniel Doerge, PhD, who expressed serious concerns
  regarding the perceived safe use of soy, if soy was to be granted a 'health claim'.
  In their letter of protest they said, "…it is inappropriate to allow a health claim
  for SPI….. it could be misinterpreted…. the health labelling of SPI for foods need
  to be considered just as would the addition of any 'estrogen' or 'goitrogen' to
  foods, which are bad ideas. Estrogenic and goitrogenic drugs are regulated by
  the FDA, and are taken under a physician's care. Patients are informed of risks,
  and are monitored by their physicians for evidence of toxicity. No similar
  safeguards are in place for foods, so the public will be put at potential risk from
  soy isoflavones in SPI without adequate warning and information." 

  Soy protein has not been given GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status
  because of its carcinogenic properties; neither has it been given pre-market
  (1a,5) approval for its use in food. It is reasonable to ask - is it even legal to add
  to our food? (4)

  'Toxic Load' means that the risk is a function of dose length, dose strength, and
  of the physical condition of the consumer. Reference: "The Dose Makes the
  Poison: A Plain-Language Guide to Toxicology," 2nd edition, by M. Alice
  Ottoboni.

  References
  1a from The Weston A. Price Foundation. www.Westonaprice.org Also
  see update (1b). Both are c 2000 by S. Fallon & M.G. Enig, PhD:
  (1a) "Newest Research on Why You Should Avoid Soy"
  www.mercola.com/article/soy/avoid_soy.htm>and
  (1B) "Tragedy and Hype: The Third International Soy
  Symposium,"www.westonaprice.org/soy/tragedy.html 
  (2) The Gerson Institute, 1572 Second Avenue, San Diego, California 92101,
  Phone; 619 685 5353 www.gerson.org/ 
  (3) Optimal Wellness Center, by Dr. Joseph Mercola, and newsletter "eHealthy
  News you Can Use" www. mercola.com (In 'search', type: soy)
  (4) The 1958 "Delaney Amendment" to the USA FDA Reg.s prohibits the use of
  any food additive if it is found to cause cancer in any animal species or man, at
  any dose level.
  www.iisd1.iisd.ca/pcdf/meadows/delaney.htm
  (5) Soy OnLine Service, SOS, are a small group of private citizens from New
  Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom. They have no industry
  connections and are not funded by any outside interest groups. Their mission is
  to uncover truths about soy and to provide consumers with an alternative
  opinion to the information generated from the soy industry.
  www.soyonlineservice.co.nz 
  (6) USA Scientists Protest Soy Approval, FDA Lay Out Concerns. Researchers,
  Daniel Doerge PhD and Daniel Sheehan PhD are two of the USA's Food and
  Drug Administration 's experts on soy who signed a Feb 18 1999 letter of protest
  documenting 26 referenced studies that show a link between eating soy and
  serious health problems.
  www.abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/2020_000609_soyfdaletter_feature.html
  (7) Estrogen found in soy stimulates human breast-cancer cells in mice . Three
  studies from the University of Illinois, Nov 1, 2001,
  www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-11 uoia-efi110101.php Abstract
  EurekAlert Medical Archives.
  (8) Basing infant formula on soy? American Association for Cancer Research,
  article "Uterine Adenocarcinoma in Mice Treated Neonatally with Genistein"
  June 1, 2001. www.cancerres.aacrjournals.org?cgi/content/abstract/61/11/4325
  Abstract, Cancer Research, 61:4325-4328.
  (9) The Doctor Within, The Magic Bean? Soy-Taintly Not! www.the
  doctorwithin.com/articles/magic_bean.html Soybean-Bad
  www.rogerkyoung.com/soybean.html.

  Further details available from Health Action Network Society. 
  A comprehensive information package on soy is available from The Health
  Action Network Society.