DDT or Malaria -- Which is Worse?

Assassin bug wonders: "Although the topic of malaria has been discussed on Slashdot, DDT use has not. After having banned DDT (C14H9Cl5)" in 2004, Tanzania has reversed their ban on DDT use. What is the Slashdot community's opinion regarding the use of DDT for mosquito control versus genetically modified mosquitoes?" "Key facts to consider:

• Insects have developed resistance, for every tactic that has been used against them (including biological control, crop rotation, and various chemicals)
• Although the direct effects of DDT on humans might be benign, the effects on wildlife and the environment are well documented
• In some countries, such as India, popluations of DDT-resistant mosquitoes exist
• The fitness (i.e., reproductive success in the wild) of mutant mosquitoes is not well understood."

Comments

Riiiiibit

[Anonymous Coward]

The answer is frogs. Big freaking frogs. With lasers on their heads!

Wait...

[fak3r]

Where's the Cowboy Neil option?

Interview?

[Anonymous Coward]

Has Jake The Snake been inteviewed yet for this article?

SKEETERS!

[lpcustom]

When huntin Skeeters use a Skeeter Trap!

Re:DDT

[gstoddart]

You mean like after it decimated the ecosystem on Borneo, forcing 14,000 cats to be parachuted in to stop the population from dying of bubonic plague and typhus.

Not to derail your very good point, but ....

Parachuting 14,000 cats? If anotehr poster hadn't already posted corroborating links I'd be disbelieving you right about now.

Man. The sheer visual of 14,000 feline paratroopers just gives me the giggles.

Re:DDT

[14CharUsername]

Interestingly, seeing 14,000 cats parachuted in to Borneo can be caused by both DDT and LSD.