Rachel Carson responsible for the deaths of millions of African children

Although Rachel Carson’s intentions were good, the consequences of her actions had a major impact on lives in Africa. Malaria is a major disease carried by mosquitoes and the cause of thousands of deaths in Africa. According to WHO, ninety percent of malaria’s victims live in Africa, and most of them are children under the age of five. In Africa, one in 20 children dies from malaria. With the demise of DDT also came an increase of mosquitoes that carry malaria. DDT has proven effective in killing mosquitoes; however Carson’s description of DDT in Silent Spring hindered efforts to fight Malaria in Africa. As a result of Carson’s actions, fear and governmental policies against DDT use were implemented into society depriving people access to preventative methods for malaria.

Though Carson’s book did contribute to the increasing numbers of deaths due to malaria, it cannot be blamed as the sole cause of death of the African children. Misuse of politics, governmental policies, and funding are also contributing factors to these deaths. Additionally, although Carson fought against DDT she also stated in her book that “All this is not to say that there is no insect problem and no need of control. I am saying, rather, that control must be geared to realities, not mythical situations, and that the methods employed must be such that they do not destroy us along with insects.” This statement indicates that she suggests reducing the amount of DDT used to kill insects and not completely ban it. Therefore until more concrete evidence is available to show extreme health effects of DDT use and there is a cheaper alternative method available as a pesticide, DDT would be an ideal solution to malaria in Africa.

In conclusion, Carson’s book served its purpose to educate people about the detrimental effects of biocides, make them aware of chemical hazards and environmental issues, and to start looking for alternative pesticides. She merely made stepping stones for environmental actions. If people wanted to stop the ban then more research should have been done to prove otherwise. Rachel Carson didn’t implement the ban, the government did, and the government based some of its decision from her book. Additionally,  I would want to believe that the government made its decision to ban DDT on more concrete scientific evidence and not just a book. Therefore, technically both Rachel Carson and the government are to blame.

Another fact to consider, which was also mentioned in Carson's book, is that pests will eventually gain resistance to DDT. Even if DDT was used again in Africa, the mosquitoes there will eventually be immune to DDT and thereby still be able to carry and infect children with malaria. As a result, using DDT will have short term benefits and a new strategy will be needed to solve the malaria crisis.

References

http://rachelwaswrong.org/malaria-legacy/

http://www.bmj.com//content/321/7273/1403.1?