Despite full knowledge of DDT's toxicity, USAID is still implementing use of the pesticide on innocent Africans.
Why is USAID promoting DDT?
. . the Bush Administration . . . recently changed the policy of the US Agency for International Development to increase reliance on DDT in its malaria programs. Bush Administration supporter Senator Tom Coburn was quoted in WHO’s press statement, which was released from Washington DC rather than WHO headquarters in Geneva.
“The recent shift in US policy reflects a well organized DDT promotion campaign by a handful of aggressive advocates,” says Kristin Schafer, Program Coordinator for Pesticide Action Network North America.
“This effort is supported by conservative organizations and think tanks with funding from the U.S. pesticide industry, including Monsanto.”
These are some of Senator Coburn’s words as he touted DDT and commended the WHO for change in policy, allowing DDT..although WHO actually said, DDT could ONLY be used when other interventions used FIRST and were ineffective..IT is a loop hole.
from 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), today applauded the bold leadership of the World Health Organization for its dramatic shift in malaria control policies to aggressively encourage and promote insecticide spraying inside homes, including programs using the most cost effective insecticide, DDT. As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management Dr. Coburn has held 2 hearings on the need for the adoption of similar policies by the U.S. Agency for International Development and has been vigorously overseeing the implementation of President Bush’s new malaria initiative, which includes substantive increases in support for indoor spraying with DDT in Africa.
He called position against use of DDT as based on “junk science”.
Coburn also was a leader stalling implementation of new restrictions for PEPFAR HIV/AIDS funding, leading a group of 7 conservative Senators.