Assume that I live in a town of mostly timber-frame houses. There is from time to time a virulent infestation of dry rot, that can even destroy a house. A local firm of 'Timber Preservation Specialists' let's call it 'BaxtimberTreatment' offers to inject fungisides into all my timbers, so as to make my house 'immune' from 'Dry Rot' and other timber infestations. It works a treat, but this firm should have told me about the health effects of their toxic timber treatment. I was sick for weeks after!...Many houses in the town were also treated with equal success, but many customers reported similar health reactions.
Then one day a notice appears in the lacal newspaper, "All Houses Must Be Baxterized" the reason is that the Mayor has been told there needs to be 'Herd Immunity' for all the houses. Some residents who have researched the health problems associated with 'Baxterizing' their homes, kick up a fuss at the town hall. They argue that if 'Baxterizing' timber is so effective, what does it matter if non-Baxterized houses suffer from Dry Rot? the 'Baxterized' houses are 'Immune!', and besides, they know of other timber treatments, tried and tested over generations, that do not cause occupants to get ill.
The tale has a happy ending, the Mayor relents, and revokes his mandate to 'Baxterize' all the town's houses. In a speech to the assembled townsfolk, he appologises for being hoodwinked by the 'BaxtimberTreatment' sales-rot!
Now read who is advising the President:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7974995.stm
Earth population 'exceeds limits'
By Steven Duke
Editor, One Planet, BBC World Service
There are already too many people living on Planet Earth, according to one of most influential science advisors in the US government......
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