DDT makes a comeback
Today's New York Times has an op-ed by Donald Roberts that describes how DDT has been brought back for use as an indoor mosquito repellant:
DDT, the miracle insecticide turned environmental bogeyman, is once again playing an important role in public health. In the malaria-plagued regions of Africa, where mosquitoes are becoming resistant to other chemicals, DDT is now being used as an indoor repellent. Research that I and my colleagues recently conducted shows that DDT is the most effective pesticide for spraying on walls, because it can keep mosquitoes from even entering the room.
No, I didn't write the op-ed. The Dr. Roberts who did is an emeritus professor of tropical medicine in Maryland. However, I agree with his view that DDT should play a role in fighting malaria. Its use can save many lives.
Comments
I direct your attention to a little book I read a couple of years ago that addresses this subject nicely: "Eco-imperialism - Green Power, Black Death" by Paul Driessen. Along with other topics, he discusses how the banning of DDT leads to over 1 million deaths a year in Africa alone. I believe malaria is starting to eclipse even AIDS deaths now. How wonderful that we in the West were able to eradicate malarial mosquitos but deny that ability to 3rd World countries in the name of environmentalism. Every one of the missionary families at our church who are living in Africa or Papua N.G. are infected with malaria and they have the best prophylactic medicines available. Why? This is a scourge we can do away with.
Posted by: Betsy Cuthbertson | August 21, 2007 12:10 PM
Thanks for the recommendation, Betsy. I'll have to check Driessen's book out. I agree with you about the hypocrisy of denying the Third World the means to eradicate malaria. The scary thing is there are some people who care much more about saving birds than about saving human lives.
Posted by: Don Roberts | August 24, 2007 10:45 AM