%% date:: [[2021-02-13]], [[2023-02-22]] %% # [[Beware of the pesticide paradox]] The pesticide paradox is that too much pesticide, or too little variation in the pesticide formula, can actually induce insects to become immune to it, resulting in the exact thing that it was engineered to prevent (insect proliferation). In the same way, tests that are static can encourage defect creep rather than preventing it. In addition, using one type of testing might intiially be effective, but eventually, it will cease to highlight defects. Because of this paradox, test cases, including automated ones, need to be regularly assessed for effectiveness and accuracy. New testing approaches should be considered, or new testing types implemented in parallel with existing ones, to assure continuous improvement rather than degradation of the value of testing within the project.