Dr. Robert W. Jones, March 8, 2010.
Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico.
Email: rjones@uaq.mx
The publication of the book, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson in 1962, is generally considered the seminal event in the initiation of the environmental movement. The arguments of the book linked the use of synthetic chemicals for the control of insect pests with other biological phenomena being witnessed at the time. She succinctly explained how with indiscriminate use, DDT entered the food chain and accumulated in the fatty tissues of animals, including human beings, and was linked with genetic and neurological problems. The extremely high residual action of DDT meant that the chemical persisted in the environment for many years, and Carson concluded that DDT and other pesticides had irrevocably harmed birds and animals and had contaminated the entire world food supply. Despite vehement opposition to the book, especially from the agrochemical industries, a special commission was assigned to assess the problem in 1963, by the then, president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. After examining the issues raised by the book, the commission strongly supported the conclusions of Carson, and vindicated both Silent Spring and its author.... Read more
