23-2 The Case for Pesticides
What Are the Advantages of Modern Synthetic Pesticides? Many Benefits
They save human lives. Since 1945, DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbon and organophosphate insecticides probably have prevented the premature deaths of at least 7 million people (some say as many as 500 million) from insect-transmitted diseases such as malaria (carried by the Anopheles mosquito), bubonic plague (carried by rat fleas), and typhus
They increase food supplies. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 40% of the world’s potential human food supply is lost to pests—about two-thirds of that before harvest and the rest after.
They increase profits for farmers. Pesticide companies estimate that every $1 spent on pesticides leads to an increase in North American crop yields worth approximately $4 (but studies have shown this benefit drops to about $2 if the harmful effects of pesticides are included).
They work faster and better than alternatives. Pesticides control most pests quickly at a reasonable cost, have a long shelf life, are easily shipped and applied, and are safe when handled properly by farm workers.
When used properly, their health risks are very low compared with their benefits.
Newer pesticides are safer and more effective than many older pesticides
Many new pesticides are used at much lower rates per unit area than older products.
What Is the Ideal Pesticide? An Ongoing Search
Scientists continue to search for the ideal pest-killing chemical, which would have these qualities:
Affect only the target organism
Not cause genetic resistance in the target organism
Disappear or break down into harmless chemicals after doing its job
Be more cost effective than doing nothing