7 JANUARY 1955, Page 18

AGENE Agene is a toxic substance, poisonous to many animals;

and even if there has been no proof that it can poison humans, it is a safe rule that the use of spch chemicals should be avoided unless it offers overriding advantages. There can be no certainty that they will not have long-term ill-effects on the body. Admittedly, we cannot deny ourselves the benefits of all chemicals simply out of fear of 'what they might do to us in twenty years' time. But the fact that a chemical has known toxic properties is surely sukient prima facie evidence to secure an injunction against it—especially when its com- mercial advantages are not great enough to justify any risk.