DDT AND PHILIP MORRIS….Is DDT a banned substance? Answer: for widespread agricultural use, which produces increased resistance in many insect populations, yes. For vector control (primarily to contain mosquito-borne malaria), no.
For the last decade or so, however, a group of right-wing “sound science” advocates has been implying that the agricultural ban on DDT is really a blanket ban and that millions of poor Africans have died as a result. Why? DDT isn’t patented and is only minimally profitable, so it’s not as if the DDT industry is bothering to push this. So who is?
Short answer: the tobacco industry. Surprise! Turns out that the DDT disinformation campaign was really an effort to discredit the World Health Organization, which was planning a major anti-smoking initiative back in 1998. Discredit WHO on malaria, and you discredit WHO on its anti-smoking activism. And all the while you get to look like you’re standing up for millions of impoversished black Africans. Neat, eh?
John Quiggin has the story. Follow the links for more.
