It is not my contention that chemical insecticides must never be used. I do contend that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals indiscriminately into the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potentials for harm. We have subjected enormous numbers of people to contact with these poisons, without their consent and often without their knowledge. I contend, furthermore, that we have allowed these chemicals to be used with little or no advance investigation of their effect on soil, water, wildlife, and man himself. Future generations are unlikely to forgive our lack of concern for the integrity of the natural world that supports all life.

　地球上生命的历史一直就是一部生物与其环境相互作用的历史。在很大程度上 ，地球上动植物的形态以及习性都是由外部环境所塑造的
。考虑到地球上生命存在的整个时间
，相反作用，即生命对其周围环境的实际改变作用 ，却相对很小。只有在当前这个世纪(指20世纪)才有一个物种--人类
，获得了强大的力量，改变了其所生存的世界的自然