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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: combjelly who wrote (418768)	9/21/2008 5:12:04 PM
From: longnshort	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1575311

Secretary Sahriti leaned forward in his chair and said, "Why do you say that South Africa's decision to ban DDT use was the result of political and economic pressures from the developed countries?" "Because, Mr. Secretary, the developed countries are major contributors to the economies of the underdeveloped nations, and they often insist on a ban of DDT use as a condition for their aid. This is a clear case of the developed world imposing its values on poor nations regardless of the consequences for those nations. I am sure you realize that malaria is not a problem in most of the developed world, although that may be changing now." The Sierra Club representative, Patricia Canavan, was visibly agitated. She said, "May I make some observations that would add a bit of balance to our discussion, Mr. Secretary?" "Of course, Dr. Canavan." "The reason that the developed countries want DDT banned from use worldwide is that its use presents an unacceptable risk to our environment and to our health. It is a risk that we simply cannot afford to take. "DDT is so stable in the environment that it takes many years for it to decompose after it is exposed to air and water. Ten years after DDT began to be used studies found it in even the most remote areas of the world, places where it had never been applied. Wind and water transport DDT all over the globe. "And then it began to show up in birds, fish, domestic animals, and humans. DDT accumulates in fatty tissues, and is passed from mothers to their infants during breast-feeding. Nursing infants all over the world were ingesting DDT from their moment of birth." Nicole Lund shifted uneasily in her chair as she responded, "What you say is true, Dr. Canavan, but would you please tell us how many human deaths DDT has caused among the billions of human beings that have been exposed to it?" "I think you know very well that DDT has not been proven to be the direct cause of any human deaths, Dr. Lund. I also think that you know that the 'precautionary principle' demands that we not take risks whose consequences we cannot predict." "I am afraid that I am not aware of the details of the precautionary principle, Ms. Canavan," Secretary Sahriti interjected. "Could you enlighten me about it?" ublib.buffalo.edu