Fathers’ drinking: Also responsible for fetal disorders?

A new research study published in Animal Cells and Systems has shown, using mice, “the first definitive evidence that fathers’ drinking habits pre-conception can cause significant fetal abnormalities.” I have lots of questions about this study. First and foremost: Why is this shocking? It just seems logical to me that something we know affects fetal development and fertility does, indeed, do so consistently. Why has it taken so long for a study like this to be conducted? Why are we, as a culture, so certain that only women/mothers are responsible for procreation?

Here’s a link to a summary of the story from Science Daily.