When it comes to environmental issues, there seems to be two categories, scientifically based and emotionally based. This one definitely falls into the second category.
Unfortunately, for a documentary to resonate with me I need facts and statistics, not anecdotes, and this is pretty much all this movie has to offer.
The film takes for granted that pesticides are the cause of child cancers, and places the blame squarely on the individuals, parents and farmers, applying these synthetic pesticides.
As a toxicologist, I am fully of the opinion that a majority of cancers of environmentally induced. But to place this weight solely on individuals is misplaced, even though most evidence demonstrates higher incidences of cancers near golf courses and such (but interestingly, not all golf courses). There are several sources of environmental toxins, mostly industrial, which find their way into our lives.
This movie reduces the cancer connection to pesticide use, when in fact it is a much larger environmental image.
On the other hand, on a positive note, I realize some people do not respond well to facts and reality, but are more compelled to act from an emotional plea (as unsound as it may be). In this, the film certainly presents a strong emotional plea: YOU'RE KILLING YOUR KIDS!
Unfortunately, for a documentary to resonate with me I need facts and statistics, not anecdotes, and this is pretty much all this movie has to offer.
The film takes for granted that pesticides are the cause of child cancers, and places the blame squarely on the individuals, parents and farmers, applying these synthetic pesticides.
As a toxicologist, I am fully of the opinion that a majority of cancers of environmentally induced. But to place this weight solely on individuals is misplaced, even though most evidence demonstrates higher incidences of cancers near golf courses and such (but interestingly, not all golf courses). There are several sources of environmental toxins, mostly industrial, which find their way into our lives.
This movie reduces the cancer connection to pesticide use, when in fact it is a much larger environmental image.
On the other hand, on a positive note, I realize some people do not respond well to facts and reality, but are more compelled to act from an emotional plea (as unsound as it may be). In this, the film certainly presents a strong emotional plea: YOU'RE KILLING YOUR KIDS!