Alex Avery of the Hudson Institute Debunks Myths Surrounding Frog Deformities and Amphibian Declines
-publicized atrazine accusations may prove to be much ado about nothing.
Churchville, VA (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) 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 California’s 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
e-mail
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/2/prweb205627.htm