Is Genetic Engineering Really Necessary?
Knowing how dangerous herbicides and herbicide-resistant crops can be, and simply knowing how much there is that we just don't know yet about GE crops, the questions naturally arise: Do we really need genetically engineered crops? That is, do the potential benefits outweigh the risks? Do we already have better alternatives at our disposal? Certainly a serious discussion is in order.
The fact is, we do have an alternative. In a word: organics. We have the option to grow our food organically and avoid all of the known and unknown risks of GE foods and the processes surrounding their production. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) concurs, stating, "[It] makes little sense to support genetic engineering at the expense of technologies that have proven to substantially increase yields, especially in many developing countries.
In addition, recent studies have shown that organic and similar farming methods that minimize the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can more than double crop yields at little cost to poor farmers in such developing regions as Sub-Saharan Africa."So, if we can use organics to boost crop yields while avoiding those so-called "frankenfoods" and reducing the environmental, human, and animal impact of GE crop production, why exactly are we accepting GE and GMO foods?
Unfortunately, it seems to come down to politics and money. Those who profit from GE products are all for them, while those dedicated to science are anything but:States the UCS, "Biotechnology companies maintain that genetic engineering is essential to meeting this goal. Monsanto, for example, is currently running an advertising campaign warning of an exploding world population and claiming that its 'advanced seeds… significantly increase crop yields…' The UCS report debunks that claim, concluding that genetic engineering is unlikely to play a significant role in increasing food production in the foreseeable future.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reports that, "Although genetic engineering (GE) proponents claim GE crops will cut pesticide use, this is not necessarily true. On the other hand, organic agriculture does reduce such exposure because it avoids the use of toxic and persistent pesticides."Further, OTA cites a report about the human welfare impact of GE products, stating, "The vast majority of GE crops are used to feed animals in rich countries rather than people in poorer nations. For instance, South America's expanding GE soybean plantations produce soy meal for Europe's livestock industry, and have reduced food security by displacing poor farmers and reducing land area planted to food crops like corn and beans for local consumption."It seems the only people who definitively need genetic engineering to continue replacing organic and conventional growth processes are those who profit from it: biotech firms. And if that's the case, then it's time for the world's population to stop and think about replacing "frankenfoods" with good old organics while we still can.
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Adrian Desbarats started Fashion & Earth to provide eco consumers with organic clothes at affordable prices. With their hassle free returns policy and, extremely popular Rewards Program you really have nothing to lose! Go ahead - check them out and experience the feeling of wearing organic, fair trade clothing. The feeling of empowerment and pride that comes with wearing your values!
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