22 THE A UID U BION BU Die ae 
In February the Chicago Horticultural Society presented Dr. Edward 
H. Smith, Cornell University entomologist, who effectively carried out his 
stated purpose — that of discussing Silent Spring objectively. He feels 
Dr. Carson has a wonderful case, but says she let distortion slip in. He 
admitted that there is much disenchantment with pesticides ‘because of 
(1) their toxic residues; (2) insect resistance (he commented that one reason 
we might have to give up pesticides will be that they don’t work); (3) their 
application is never-ending; (4) the possibility that we are trading one 
pest for another; and (5) chemicals are expensive. Dr. Smith stated: “It is 
true, I believe, that too many of our eggs are in the chemical control basket, 
but not because of any sinister design of the chemical industry. There have 
been insufficient funds to support long-range basic research involving 
highly trained personnel. Instead we have been forced to settle for the 
short-range gains which chemical control offers. And these gains have been 
impressive. ... “It also seems a mistake to assume that the integrity of 
university staffs has been bought by the chemical industry for a few pieces 
of silver.” 
He went on: ‘We have, perhaps, been over-optimistic in attempting to 
eradicate long-established pests from large areas by aerial broadcasting of 
non-selective pesticides. .. . Accelerated research should be undertaken to 
provide the intricate biological knowledge required to plan programs 
soundly. There must be inter-agency coordination to insure due considera- 
tion of all aspects of health and welfare.” 
Speaking of wildlife hazards, Dr. Smith pointed out: “The greatest 
threat to wildlife comes from man. He is rapidly destroying the habitat 
of wild creatures to provide homes, industries, roads, etc. for himself. 
Future industrialization, keeping pace with population explosions, promises 
worse times for wildlife. Let us not bow to the inevitability of these bleak 
prospects, but apply man’s intellect to preserve as much of the esthetic 
as possible. ‘Man does not live by bread alone’ must become more than a 
cliche. The situation requires appreciation, vision, planning, and sacrifice.” 
In March, 1963, the Adult Education Council convened in Chicago. 
The members were Louis A. McLean, Secretary of the Velsicol Chemical 
Corporation; Dr. Rupert Wenzel, Curator of Insects, Chicago Natural His- 
tory Museum; and Dr. Lawrence Gilbert, Associate Professor of Biological 
Sciences, Northwestern University. 
Dr. Gilbert spoke of a juvenile hormone, sometimes called the ‘Peter 
Pan” hormone, as a possibility in pest control. Some of the insect’s own 
hormone, to which it would not become immune, is administered, and 
sexual maturity is prevented — when a pupa is so treated, it remains a 
pupa. Concerning birds, Dr. Gilbert pointed out that they build up fat to 
migrate; when the fat is used, the stored D. D. T. is released. 
The pesticide debate is going on in professional as well ag lay groups, 
Dr. Wenzel stressed. He spoke of the discontent with pesticides in the 
Entomological Society of America because of their side effects. There seems 
to be no effect on soil productivity, but scientists are worried about soil 
renewal, which is brought about by soil organisms, and spoke of the fact 
that the medical profession won’t admit that we know little about long- 
term effects. (This panel took place four days before the Illinois State 
Medical Society passed a resolution warning against misuse of pesticides.) 
Dr. Wenzel recommended integrated controls, utilizing biological, sanita- 
tion, and chemical controls, with the latter being only supplementary. 
