Alex Avery of the Hudson Institute Debunks Myths Surrounding Frog Deformities and Amphibian Declines
Well-publicized atrazine accusations may prove to be much ado about nothing.
Churchville, VA (PRWEB) February 4, 2005 -- "Rachel Carson Syndrome: Jumping to Pesticide Conclusions in the Global Frog Crisis," is a devastating and detailed review of four highly publicized case studies reviewing frog deformities and amphibian declines. Avery reveals a deep anti-pesticide bias among ecologists, including Tyrone Hayes. The report asks why ecologists continually chase chemical phantoms despite the scientific evidence and when ecology will again become a science, instead of an anti-pesticide activist cheerleading squad?
Excerpt:
"For years some ecologists have been convinced that pesticides are contributing to a decline in amphibian species around the globe. From an apparent epidemic of deformed frogs in Minnesota to the near disappearance of yellow-legged frogs from Californias Sierra Nevada Mountains, pesticides have been considered prime suspects. This suspicion is no doubt rooted in the belief by the ecological community that the agricultural pesticide DDT was responsible for a serious decline of raptor bird populations in North America after WWII -a theory popularized by Rachel Carson s 1962 bestselling book, 'Silent Spring.' Over the past decade, tens of millions of dollars have been spent looking for the offending chemical or chemicals involved in the amphibian declines. Yet time after time, no evidence has been found that pesticides are involved. Four high-profile case studies show how scant the evidence against pesticides is, as well as the deep bias of the ecological research community."
The full report on frog deformities and amphibian declines can be found at: http://www.cgfi.org/materials/key_pubs/rachel-carson-syndrome-intro.htm.
Alex Avery is director of research and education with the Center for Global Food Issues at Hudson Institute. Find him online at http://www.cgfi.org.
Contact:
Alex Avery
(540) 337-6354
aavery@cgfi.org
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