Not so simple. DDT is cheaper, it is in the public domain but the idea that it is the best alternative largely depends (as is the case with most pesticides) on a controlled use to prevent resistance, there are countries where malaria rate increased even with DDT in use and the resistance to it in insect was noticed years before the US ban. Also the other issue that muddies the waters is that the issue in developing countries is as much about agricultural use with malaria suppression quite possibly a red herring.
Agricultural use has lots of money issues involved so its not clear who is on the up and up. But more the point, it is the widespread agricultural use that has the most problems associated and the most likely to lead to widespread resistance, loss of biodiversity (which in turn worsens insect problems). IMHO, this controversy appears to really be about countries that want a cheap short-term shot in the arm for their agri-business. Again DDT was never banned though since 2001 the international environmental treaties have strived to attempt a ban on all persistent pesticides IN agriculture, there has always been a public health exemption for DDT. The fact that seeds, patented pesticides and other high-tech agricultural inputs are onerously expensive for 3rd world farmers is nothing new, but DDT is probably not the white knight it is made out to be. mike <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/african-nations-lift-ddt-ban-to-fight-malaria/2006/05/30/1148956344979.html Not according to that article...says DDT is looking at a comeback because it's the best defense against malaria. Mike On 4/23/07, Paul Meyer wrote: > > Actually, the Wikipedia article specifically says that there was never an > international ban per se and that DDT has always been available for > mosquito > control in the developing world. It was withdrawn voluntarily in many > places > because mosquitoes developed resistance and hence > loss it effectiveness. The idea > that a DDT ban caused an a malarial surge in the third world appears > to somewhere between an urban myth and political disinformation. > > Tom Piwowar wrote: >DDT isn't banned any more, at least for > anti-mosquito efforts. You can buy > >insect repellant now that has DDT in it. > > Isn't that DEET in the insect repellant? As a suspected carcinogen DDT > would not be a good thing to smear on one's body. DDT is banned in N > America and mostly banned internationally according to Wikipedia. > > > ************************************************************************ > * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== > * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== > * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name > * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST > * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L > * New address? 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