The surfactants used in commercial preparations probably are similar to
soap- this does not make them safe! In addition, it has often been argued
that Glyphosate is no more toxic than table salt. This is probably true,
but what would happen if we sprayed salt solutions on our fields in in
waterways?
For groups questioning the safety of pesticides- I think it is important
to acknowledge that in most cases the information provided by the
companies is true. Most of the chemicals being produced today are an
improvement on previous products- but this does NOT by definition make
them safe. The baseline used by chemical companies to compare their
products to is whats already out there. For those interested in
sustainability, what is already there is not acceptable- so a slight
improvement doesnt mean much!
Medicine provides a good analogy for this situation. A patient with
cancer is told he has 2 days to live. Suddenly the doctor rushes in and
says "great news- theres a new drug, it will prolong your life for 1 more
monteh- it has a few side effects though and is very expensive". The
patient still has the cancer, but now he will live a little longer. What
the doctor neglects to tell the patient is that there is another
unproven, perhaps risky treatment that may cure the cancer.
Note that if the patient trys the alterntaive treatment, he does not need
the doctor or the drug! On other words, the drug probably does work to
prolong the patients life for 1 month- but is that good enough?
_________________________________________________________________________
Angela Griffiths tel: (604) 822-5927
Resource Management and fax: (604) 822-9250
Environmental Studies email: ange@unixg.ubc.ca
436E-2206 East Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, B.C. Canada, V6T 1Z3
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