DDT, a notorious symbol of environmental degradation, is poised to make a comeback. International experts are touting the widely banned pesticide as a best bet to save millions of human lives threatened by malaria.
The chemical’s return is sure to raise some eyebrows, but people on the front lines of the malaria fight generally support the decision.
"It’s about 20 years too late, but it’s a good thing," said Don Roberts, a professor of tropical public heath at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. "I think it’s going to make a huge difference in the health of people at risk of malaria."
That is, of course the crux of the debate: whether the benefits to mankind outweigh the potential danger to some part of the environment. Many people believe (myself included) that the US ban of DDT was the first major victory for practitioners of junk science. I do not believe that the victors, and those following in their footsteps will allow this to happen without a fight. This should be interesting. read the whole piece by clicking here. Read my previous posting about DDT here.