Instructional Video

Pbs Learning Media: American Experience: Lessons From Silent Spring for Controlling Disease: Rachel Carson

Curated by ACT

Find out why, decades after the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' exposed the unintended consequences of popular pesticides like DDT, some critics are connecting a renewed rise in malaria around the globe to Carson's controversial book, in this digital video from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and Retro Report. While DDT was effective in killing insects, Carson warned against its widespread use, arguing that too little was known about its possible threat to human and animal health. Carson's work raised awareness about the issue, and prompted further research that ultimately led many countries to ban DDT for both agricultural uses and insect-borne disease control. As the fight against malaria continues in certain parts of the world, especially where mosquitoes have evolved an immunity to DDT, researchers are hoping to develop a multipronged strategy to fight the disease. [12:30]

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