In an interview conducted by journalist Anne Guion, I answered a few questions, emphasising the importance of motherhood, which is the most fragile period with regard to pollution in general and pesticides in particular (see also the french article below). Before Trump’s arrival, exceptional studies had shown that the incidence of autism and brain diseases increases in pregnant women located 500 metres or 1.5 kilometres from pesticide fields, the severity of these effects depending on the type of pesticide (Shelton et al.). In Guion’s column, I emphasise :
‘The construction of the brain is a succession of appointments that cannot be delayed or missed. Each missed appointment can cause major neurological and psychiatric sequelae, such as schizophrenia or autism. We now know that atmospheric pollution disrupts this ballet, especially since everything that the mother breathes is passed directly to the foetus, without the protective mechanisms that an adult brain has. These early disruptions have irreversible consequences, as summarised by the researcher: ‘Furthermore, “These diseases, which are already as if programmed, cannot be cured; the neurons that have been unable to migrate because of the pollution will not grow back. But they can be mitigated if the damage is spotted as early as possible”.’
In the face of this invisible but omnipresent threat, the only solution remains prevention.
A study published by Le Monde also shows the existence of clusters of paediatric cancers in La Rochelle in areas close to pesticide spraying fields. What is lacking is a more rigorous study linking the type of pesticide and the distance from pregnant women (or even young babies). The problem is that politicians don’t want this type of research – for fear of offending farmers – and pharmaceutical companies won’t fund it. So there is hardly any funding for what should have been a top priority. It’s a shame, because all this comes at the price of ruined lives, not to mention environmental damage. However, one day we will have to come to our senses and try another vision of agriculture, one that respects biodiversity, in particular…
