ABSTRACT
But, as Tenner subtly acknowledges, even following the ‘safe’ route suggested by some environmentalists produces risks and costs. Modern pesticides are far more efficient and environment-friendly than DDT, and like DDT are non-toxic to humans. The science journal Nature recently concluded that DDT poses a negligible risk to humans, and that pushing for a ban of pesticides (even DDT) would be self-defeating because at least a million people die of mosquito-transmitted malaria every year. Reducing the use of pesticides would also lead to more crop failures and higher food prices. And for most people in the world, poor diet is a far greater and more immediate health hazard than ingesting pesticide residues.
