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Weed Science - A Plea for Thought - Revisited pp 43–63Cite as

A Question of Faith

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Agriculture ((BRIEFSAGRO))

Abstract

The original purpose of this essay was: (1) To describe and discuss the history of weed science (Chap. 1); (2) To discuss value questions related to pesticides (Chap. 2); (3) To present my view of weed science’s dominant paradigm (Chap. 3); (4) To question the faith of many involved in agriculture in the possibility of perpetual increases in production and ever more efficient herbicides. This edition has been edited using the perspective gained over 20 years but each chapter retains the same purpose.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A bias is a preference, uninformed or unintentional inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment. Those with a bias are often perceived as being against something. However, a bias may be for or against something.

  2. 2.

    Remarks by T. Vilsack, Secretary US Department of Agriculture, March 5, 2010. Anaheim, CA. See: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/03/0121.xml. Accessed November 30, 2010.

  3. 3.

    A good, but not the only, example of how this goal has been achieved is Monsanto’s development of several Roundup Ready™ crops. Until resistance to the herbicide appeared, it has been possible to control all weeds in a field without harming the crop.

  4. 4.

    When Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine was working to develop the 1970 US Clean Air Act he pleaded that the scientific information gathered in support of the act be provided by scientists with only one hand. Then he would no longer hear scientists say “on the other hand.” Senator Muskie wanted what many want—indisputable scientific facts in support of the legislation. Unfortunately, that is not how science proceeds.

  5. 5.

    Throughout this essay, the generic category pesticide is used. To the best of my knowledge, data on herbicides alone are not available.

  6. 6.

    Data provided by Claire Gesalman, Chief, Communication Services Branch Office of Pesticide Programs, EPA. February 2011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1177, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1177, USA

    Robert L. Zimdahl

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Correspondence to Robert L. Zimdahl .

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Zimdahl, R.L. (2011). A Question of Faith. In: Weed Science - A Plea for Thought - Revisited. SpringerBriefs in Agriculture. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2088-6_4

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