Strong contender for the best debate performance in history. "I'd like a moment to respond to my opponents comments ... but FIRST ... allow me to publicly save this person in distress."
Where did I write anything about being against DDT? You assume too much. I can be an environmentalist and still think that DDT has its place as a tool against vector-borne diseases. Also, a lot of people die every year because of anti-environmentalist ideology as well. You are simply dismissing my argument out of hand.
As I think I see a bit of sidewalk I've already covered rapidly approaching I shall retire from this discussion now. Toodlepip!
Indeed, the Gates' Foundation surely missed the mark when they failed to take Mr. Miller's expert debunking "of junk science and flawed public policy" into account. (insert sarcasm mark of choice here)
"... but indiscriminate sprayings run the high risk of developing DDT-resistance."
Ding! Ding! Alex for the win. The continuous life cycle of mosquitoes in tropical regions means the little beasties have a very good chance of developing a resistance to the insecticide if it is used incorrectly. The ability of an insecticide to be overcome must be considered part of its effectiveness. This was my earlier point.
You are absolutely right that DDT is fantastic at controlling many mosquito-borne diseases, and personally I think it should be used more than it is. However, it must be used intelligently. Countries like India and North Korea still allow DDT use as an agricultural insecticide, a practice that, because of the chemical's persistent nature, almost certainly guarantees the development of insect resistance.
DDT was banned for agricultural use by the Stockholm Convention, not for use in public health. DDT was continually used, in some form or another, even after the agricultural ban. The problem with DDT as a tool against, Malaria and several other mosquito borne diseases, has always been its differential effectiveness in varying climates. DDT is not as effective in tropical climates because of the continuous life cycle of mosquitoes in those regions.
Before blaming the deaths of thousands on a movement like environmentalism, perhaps the facts of the situation should be fully understood. Facts are fun. Facts are important.
It is a jumping spider, family Salticidae, and an awesome one at that! Jumping spiders are active hunting predators that don't rely on webs to catch their prey, as such they have outstanding vision. If you've ever looked at one up close you can really see it looking back at you! Those things you see moving in the video are its anterior median eyes (AMEs). The AMEs are like scopes and provide the spider with super fine resolution over a narrow field of view, very useful for ... well, aiming.
Well, you see, it's not that museums are reluctant to purchase these fossils. There are many, many, many museums throughout the U.S. alone that would love to have a Triceratops on display! The problem is those museums do not have the funding or the man power to purchase these fossils. In part because they are not being financially backed by the same private buyers you think should adorn their living rooms with a mounted T. rex.
How about this? These wealthy benefactors do more to support museums around the country, and in turn they get to see more dinosaur fossils. Oh, and just for the heck of it, let's let thousands of children whose families can't have a dinosaur in their living room see those fossils as well.
As I think I see a bit of sidewalk I've already covered rapidly approaching I shall retire from this discussion now. Toodlepip!
Indeed, the Gates' Foundation surely missed the mark when they failed to take Mr. Miller's expert debunking "of junk science and flawed public policy" into account.
(insert sarcasm mark of choice here)
Ding! Ding! Alex for the win. The continuous life cycle of mosquitoes in tropical regions means the little beasties have a very good chance of developing a resistance to the insecticide if it is used incorrectly. The ability of an insecticide to be overcome must be considered part of its effectiveness. This was my earlier point.
You are absolutely right that DDT is fantastic at controlling many mosquito-borne diseases, and personally I think it should be used more than it is. However, it must be used intelligently. Countries like India and North Korea still allow DDT use as an agricultural insecticide, a practice that, because of the chemical's persistent nature, almost certainly guarantees the development of insect resistance.
Before blaming the deaths of thousands on a movement like environmentalism, perhaps the facts of the situation should be fully understood. Facts are fun. Facts are important.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFnKFF8eYfs
Their actual display is dangerously cute though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1SK7rdPUk
Here's a great webpage on the anatomy of jumping spiders
"Xerox ... how you define a photocopy machine."
C'mon Neatonauts, who can do better!
How about this? These wealthy benefactors do more to support museums around the country, and in turn they get to see more dinosaur fossils. Oh, and just for the heck of it, let's let thousands of children whose families can't have a dinosaur in their living room see those fossils as well.