Invention of the Century?

Several groups have touted the LifeStraw as the "invention of the century" thus far. It is a device that eliminates most of the bacteria and pollution in otherwise undrinkable water supplies that people in the developing world still drink every day. At present they are set to cost $3.50, lasting up to a year. Humanitarian organization WaterAid of the UK is a critic of it, saying it is too expensive for those who need it most and that the bigger problem is that these individuals live too far away from water, rather than that is is unfit for consumption.

I can see that point, but I think it would just make more sense to collaborate. The problems of the developing world are not going to be remedied by one cure-all solution, and I think if you have a device such as this that CAN potentially help millions of people in the short-term, I think we should do what we can to support it, while at the same time working toward creating sustainable change in the drinking water situations in the maligned areas.

Some advocate a plan of selling the LifeStraws here in the states at sporting goods stores for the outdoors-types (Big 5, REI, etc) and applying a portion of the revenues as a subsidy to supply them to the places where they are needed most.

Saw this on CNN this morning and thought I'd share. What do you think?