Editor, The News:
Re: Premier bitten by pest problem (B.C. Views, May 23).
I enjoyed Tom Fletcher’s column on the hysterical reactions to any chemical use.
With regard to Roundup, this compound is a very specific inhibitor of an enzyme unique to photosynthesis. Therefore, it affects only photosynthesizing organisms, typically green plants.
It has even gone through Phase 1 clinical trials (which test safety for humans) because there was some idea that it might help with arthritis. No such luck. In other words, you could drink the stuff with no ill effect.
When Oak Bay council proposed banning all “pesticides,” including Roundup, I wrote them, pointing out these facts. To no avail, they just went along with the herd, and copied the type of ban that Saanich has.
Well, keep up the good work of speaking truth to ignorance. It might eventually help.
Neil Madsen
Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry
University of Alberta
Oak Bay