Parakeets Gone Wild? Try the New Parakeet Contraceptive

By Tim Grubbs
July 19, 2008
Environment

If your parakeet is out of control, and you fear it may be practicing unsafe parakeet behavior, you can now look to researchers at the University of Florida. They may just have the answer to your problem. According to the article, the USDA has already been field-testing (PDF) the chemical in south Florida in hopes they can get the EPA to approve its use in the field.

Unfortunately, some of the side effects of DiazaCon™ (20,25-diazacholesterol dihydrochloride) being used as the contraceptive include cramping or seizures (myotonia), diabetes (increased Acetyl-CoA), and cancerous tumors (multinucleated giant cells).

It’s strange that the USDA publications, and the article reporting the study don’t mention any of these side effects. Perhaps it’s not such a good idea to distribute this chemical into the wild.