The Beginnings of Silent Spring Starting in the 1940s, Carson became interested in the growing use of synthetic pesticides. In 1957, the federal government instituted a program to eradicate gypsy moths by spraying DDT and other pesticides mixed with fuel oil over more than 6 million acres of land in the Northeast. This program inspired Carson to devote her research to the environmental harm caused by pesticides. With the help of the Audubon Naturalist Society, she publicized documents explaining the government’s spraying practices, as well as evidence of the damage from DDT. The government responded to the criticism with a public service film that Carson called “flagrant propaganda.” She claimed the film ignored the dangers that DDT and other pesticides posed to humans, animals, and plants. When the FDA held hearings on revising the rules for pesticide use, representatives from the chemical industry presented evidence that directly contradicted Carson’s thorough research. She wondered about the possible “financial inducements behind certain pesticide programs.” With which of the following statements would the author of this passage most likely agree? A) Synthetic pesticides were not effective at killing gypsy moths in the Northeast. B) Carson did not have enough evidence to claim that pesticides were dangerous. C) Carson received significant financial bonuses from the government for protesting against pesticides. D) The federal government may have provided misleading information to discredit Carson’s work.