Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
synthetic pesticides available at the hardware store can be just
as safe as botanical insecticides—and more effective—when
used properly.
Please note that I said “maybe,” “cautiously,” and “as a last
resort” for a reason. First off, in a mini-farm established using
the methods in this topic, economically threatening insect
problems should be rare, and insect problems that won't
respond to natural remedies even more rare. In fact, I have
had only one pest problem where synthetics would have
possibly been the better short-term solution.
Second, the government agencies charged with ensuring the
safety of foodstuffs, drugs, and insecticides have a poor track
record. For example, an article in USA Today disclosed that
in 55% of FDA meetings regarding drug approvals, over half
of the participants had financial conflicts of interest serious
enough to note. 21 According to the same article, committees
approving such things are actually required by law to include
officials representing the industry in question. This is not
exactly a recipe that would inspire confidence in most
objective observers and perhaps explains the dozens of
chemicals (including various insecticides and drugs) approved
by government agencies and subsequently recalled after
people have been harmed or killed.
Finally, studies indicate that synthetic pesticides make food
less healthful by reducing the ability of plants to create
antioxidants. 22 This explains my caution regarding synthetic
pesticides. If you are nice enough to buy my topic, should I
repay your kindness by giving you advice that could hurt you
without totally disclosing the facts as I know them?
Government agencies have a poor track record, and research
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