The use of pesticides is increasingly being linked to the rise in cancer cases, especially among children, according to Laurence Huc, a toxicologist at France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research. Over the past three decades, the number of cancers in young people has surged by 80 percent, and Huc attributes this alarming trend largely to exposure to pesticides and other chemical substances in the environment. He argues that society is now facing the consequences of decades of pollution, noting that over 100,000 chemical substances are currently present in our food and surroundings. In the 1960s, scientists had already begun to connect cancer with environmental toxins. However, from the 1970s onward, the focus of cancer research shifted toward genetic factors, largely due to the rise of genetic analysis. This shift was heavily supported by industry funding, leading to the widespread belief that cancer is primarily caused by inherited DNA defects. Huc criticizes this shift, arguing that it has overshadowed the role of environmental factors and that it has been influenced by powerful lobbies and private sector interests. Huc is particularly concerned about the lack of independent research and the passivity of scientists who rely on private funding. He also calls out politicians for their lack of action on these issues. According to the World Health Organization, if current trends continue, the global incidence of cancer is expected to rise by 60 percent by 2050. This projection underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for more transparent, publicly funded research. To raise awareness, Huc has published a comic book titled "Pesticides — Their Effects on Children's Health," which will be released on September 17. The book aims to educate the public, especially parents and children, about the dangers of pesticide exposure and the importance of environmental health. Huc hopes that through such efforts, more people will understand the risks and push for meaningful changes in policy and research funding.