The Herbicide Dilemma

 Imagine Monsanto had developed an herbicide (which, for all I know, they may have done) that was 100% effective in killing weeds but won't kill flowers or vegetables, as long as it is used properly. If misused it kills lots of things--grasses, trees and other vegetation, insects and animals, anything that gets in its way. It is a significant danger to microclimates and water supplies. And although it doesn't kill vegetables, it does poison them, so it can't be used on them or the food will become toxic to whatever eats it. Nonetheless, though powerful and deadly, it is safe to use in flower beds.

Should it be allowed on the market? 

Let's be clear, in case of deliberate misuse, accident, or negligence people will die, possibly a lot of people. If an unscrupulous gardener uses this on his tomatoes and sells them at a farmer's market, his customers will die. Not immediately of course. It may take a few years. Their deaths may be hard to trace to the bulging ripe tomatoes they bought at the farmers' market three years before. And in the case of accidental spillage or incorrect mixture, the ground water will be polluted, and people and animals will die and insects will die. The ground will become infertile--but just in patches and just for a while. 

Of course we can't guarantee everyone who buys this herbicide will use it properly. In fact we can guarantee that some won't. That's just how people are. Someone will spill it. Some will be tempted by the potential sale of ripe tomatoes. Some will neglect to read the directions thoroughly. If we market this product, people will die--that's a guarantee. There will be little pockets of corpses in various places where the product was misused. 

Let's add to the mix that nobody needs this product. It has its uses, but there are other ways to grow flowers. 

Should we ban the sale? Is it too dangerous? Or should we at least heavily regulate it to reduce the risk? Or should we just pop it on the shelves of Agway and Home Depot and your local garden center for anyone to buy at any time for any reason?

Now let's think about guns.