Pesticide Detox by Design

Detoxification (detox) plays a major role in pesticide action and resistance. The mechanisms involved are sometimes part of the discovery and development process in seeking new biochemical targets and metabolic pathways. Genetically modified and chemical-safener-modified crops are a marked exception and often involve herbicide detox by design to achieve the required crop tolerance. This perspective evaluates the role of detox by design or chance and target-site-based selectivity in insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide action and human health and environmental effects.