I blogged earlier on the American right wing’s bizarre hatred of Rachel Carson, including their surreal claim she was guilty of “genocide” because her arguments influenced policies dramatically reducing DDT use, including its use against malaria. Even if their claims were accurate as to the effects of the DDT ban, it is difficult to charge a scientist who made no policy and died in 1964 with actions taken well after her death. But we must remember these are right wingers.

I doubt that Fred Smith and others associated with Science in the Interest of Corporate Profits will bring anyone’s attention to some new research on that front. Jim Easter at Someareboojums provides an interesting post concluding:
“The 1972 DDT ban did nothing to restrict the chemical’s use against malaria, but had the effect of eliminating the single most intense source of selection pressure for insecticide resistance in mosquitos. As the rest of the world followed suit in restricting agricultural use of DDT, the spread of resistance was slowed dramatically or stopped.

“By this single action, William Ruckelshaus — and, credit where it’s due, Rachel Carson — may well have saved millions of lives.”

(I found Easter’s post via Science Blogs),