To spray or not to spray? Presented by Rita Pakalniskyte Marie-Helene Pech Marcin Otorowski Iris Müller Anne-Laure Mairesse

Case background DDT – Dichloro – Diphenyl - Trichloroethane DDT as a way of preventing malaria Malaria facts: 2-3 million deaths annualy 350 – 500 million people affected Economic loss (1/2 billion dollars per year) Threat of 40% world population Mostly affect poor, developing countries Since 1939 DDT is commonly used for fighting against malaria

Environment vs human life The problem Long half-life length (up to 15 years), Bio-accumulates in human body and environment, Passed from mother to infants during breast feeding No one ever died from sprayed DDT No proofs that it cannot lead to death nor environment pollution (asbestos example). UNO considers banning usage of DDT -> less polluted environment but higher amount of malaria infections. Environment vs human life

Principal values for decision Human health and life Natural environment Financing Possible options Approve the ban Keep using DDT Other options?

Why to use, why not to use DDT? Efficient and cheap way of defeating malaria Spread of malaria Economy profit If banned, many people will die No sure anything better will come up Limited use, indoor use No risk-fee technology Unknown effect on human health and environment Irreversible to the nature Huge risk taken But still, there is a risk What risk can we afford?

The choice Marie: „We should not ban DDT. It can save many people. I am aware of risk, but the benefits are definitely worth it” „We should ban DDT. We can’t afford such a high risk, and be responsible for its effects” Marcin:

Two methods of making this decision Risk / Benefit analysis Benefits > Risks Approval Precautionary principle Risk = 0 Approval

Risk/benefits analysis vs precautionary principle Risk / benefit analysis Precautionary principle You must prove the potential benefit is valuable enough to take some risk connected. You must prove it is completely safe to introduce particular technology Focuses on proper management of the risk Focuses on eliminating the risk With precautionary principle, there wouldn’t be such invention like cellular phones, nuclear power plants etc. With precautionary principle, there wouldn’t be ozone depletion, harmful effects of asbestos and haloalkanes etc.

The decision Awareness of difficulty of choice Complex issue Choosing less evil solution Ethical and moral problem Consequences Our solution – to limit usage of DDT