Core Issues of Organics |
|
The organic versus conventional debate has many layers and no simple answers. Choosing between organic and conventional is not just a food choice; it is also a political, economic, environmental and health choice.
The Organic Center recently compiled some of the recent international studies on organic agriculture and released "Core Truths," a report detailing the benefits of organic agriculture. This slide-show capture some of its findings.
Nutrition
There is much anecdotal evidence and conjecture that organic items are more nutritious than conventional items. However, an independent review by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine earlier this year concluded organic foods are not healthier than conventional foods.
Still, "Core Truths" indicates 236 studies show average levels of 11 nutrients are 25 percent higher in organic foods. But does that make a marketable difference in overall human nutrition? Are the lifetime benefits enough to outweigh the higher costs of organic foods?
The answer is muddled because human nutrition is not as mechanical as food marketers and health claims make it seem. Too often, we focus on specific nutrients and vitamins in isolation when the real key to a healthy balanced diet is eating a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to nutrition, the real important decision may not be whether to buy organic or conventional; instead, it may be whether to eat a variety of fresh produce and not processed packaged foods.
Even if organic fruits and vegetables may have 30 percent more antioxidants than conventional counterparts, it is unknown how much the body absorbs at one time. It is conceivable that the measured difference may not impact nutrition as it appears.
Feeding the World with Organics
A common argument from organic skeptics is that organic farming could not feed the world. It is a scary proposition especially after global food shortages in 2008 led to huge price spikes.
Experts from the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization have reported organic agriculture could supply global food demand. Still, it probably requires a large scale dedication of land, training and equipment to organic practices.
Reports also indicate that organic production may be more bountiful than conventional production in developing countries. Food security in future generations will be critical as populations increase and more nations industrialize.
But without commitment from world leaders to change agricultural policies that boost organic and sustainable agriculture, the organic movement will not reach a large enough scale to satiate growing demand.
Pesticides
Despite the focus on nutrition and sustainability, eliminating pesticide usage may be one of the most important byproducts of organic farming.
The Organic Center reports nine out of the top 10 agricultural pesticides may disrupt the human endocrine system. Trace amounts enter our bodies when we consume foods sprayed with these chemicals.
The "Core Truths" report draws connections between pesticide exposure with obesity and autism. Given grave concern over the child obesity epidemic, it is understandable concerned parents wonder if there is such a thing as safe levels of pesticide consumption.
If pesticides and insecticides kill or keep bugs and other living organisms away, there may be justified worry that they could be doing harm to humans as well.
Environment
The report indicates organic farming methods could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and restore soil.
These environmental considerations may be the true impetus for a greater shift toward organic agriculture. Climate change is already a factor in our changing aquaculture. Fruit-bearing tree acreage has shrunk in recent decades as temperatures have steadily increased. Flooding and droughts have both led to massive food shortages and crop destruction.
Without a decided change to focus on preservation and sustainable agriculture, future generations will feel the erosion in volume and variety when it comes to food.
Genetic Engineering
Genetically modification is a polarizing topic. While the majority of genetically engineered crops such as corn and soy become feed for livestock, there is concern that genetically modified crops may interfere with non-GMO crops.
There seems to be little discussion about the health consequences of eating genetically modified crops, but the report cites a study that suggests there is an association with health risks in animals and humans. Like many issues in this discussion, there are many unknown factors. Human consequences are still being tested and determined.
But with the Food and Drug Administration's approval of milk and meat from the offspring of cloned animals for sale, grocery stores are close becoming laboratories.
Companies have already developed disease resistant livestock and aquaculture that reach maturity in shorter periods. While these solve what is becoming an insatiable appetite, they raise more questions about long-term safety.
Advancements in medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals have not been immune to mistaken assumptions and miscalculations. A drug placed on the market for curative purposes can disappear within a few years due to further long-term risks.
So if it can happen in other science fields, can we afford to do so with our food supply?
No Easy Answers
Each of these topics raise a plethora of questions and debates with no simple answers. Although the term "organic" is a product of legislating and lobbying, it creates certain expectations in the marketplace. For some, it communicates health; for others, it suggests better environmental practices.
Nevertheless, there needs to be greater discussion on setting wider, global policies on organics to achieve some of the environmental and economic advantages of organic agriculture. But this must be a coordinated effort by the developed and developing world. In too many of the discussions, we speculate about numerous detriments, but have no conclusions because long-term information is still incomplete. Should we accept this uncertain status quo?
The Organic Center recently compiled some of the recent international studies on organic agriculture and released "Core Truths," a report detailing the benefits of organic agriculture. This slide-show capture some of its findings.
Nutrition
There is much anecdotal evidence and conjecture that organic items are more nutritious than conventional items. However, an independent review by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine earlier this year concluded organic foods are not healthier than conventional foods.
Still, "Core Truths" indicates 236 studies show average levels of 11 nutrients are 25 percent higher in organic foods. But does that make a marketable difference in overall human nutrition? Are the lifetime benefits enough to outweigh the higher costs of organic foods?
The answer is muddled because human nutrition is not as mechanical as food marketers and health claims make it seem. Too often, we focus on specific nutrients and vitamins in isolation when the real key to a healthy balanced diet is eating a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to nutrition, the real important decision may not be whether to buy organic or conventional; instead, it may be whether to eat a variety of fresh produce and not processed packaged foods.
Even if organic fruits and vegetables may have 30 percent more antioxidants than conventional counterparts, it is unknown how much the body absorbs at one time. It is conceivable that the measured difference may not impact nutrition as it appears.
Feeding the World with Organics
A common argument from organic skeptics is that organic farming could not feed the world. It is a scary proposition especially after global food shortages in 2008 led to huge price spikes.
Experts from the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization have reported organic agriculture could supply global food demand. Still, it probably requires a large scale dedication of land, training and equipment to organic practices.
Reports also indicate that organic production may be more bountiful than conventional production in developing countries. Food security in future generations will be critical as populations increase and more nations industrialize.
But without commitment from world leaders to change agricultural policies that boost organic and sustainable agriculture, the organic movement will not reach a large enough scale to satiate growing demand.
Pesticides
Despite the focus on nutrition and sustainability, eliminating pesticide usage may be one of the most important byproducts of organic farming.
The Organic Center reports nine out of the top 10 agricultural pesticides may disrupt the human endocrine system. Trace amounts enter our bodies when we consume foods sprayed with these chemicals.
The "Core Truths" report draws connections between pesticide exposure with obesity and autism. Given grave concern over the child obesity epidemic, it is understandable concerned parents wonder if there is such a thing as safe levels of pesticide consumption.
If pesticides and insecticides kill or keep bugs and other living organisms away, there may be justified worry that they could be doing harm to humans as well.
Environment
The report indicates organic farming methods could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and restore soil.
These environmental considerations may be the true impetus for a greater shift toward organic agriculture. Climate change is already a factor in our changing aquaculture. Fruit-bearing tree acreage has shrunk in recent decades as temperatures have steadily increased. Flooding and droughts have both led to massive food shortages and crop destruction.
Without a decided change to focus on preservation and sustainable agriculture, future generations will feel the erosion in volume and variety when it comes to food.
Genetic Engineering
Genetically modification is a polarizing topic. While the majority of genetically engineered crops such as corn and soy become feed for livestock, there is concern that genetically modified crops may interfere with non-GMO crops.
There seems to be little discussion about the health consequences of eating genetically modified crops, but the report cites a study that suggests there is an association with health risks in animals and humans. Like many issues in this discussion, there are many unknown factors. Human consequences are still being tested and determined.
But with the Food and Drug Administration's approval of milk and meat from the offspring of cloned animals for sale, grocery stores are close becoming laboratories.
Companies have already developed disease resistant livestock and aquaculture that reach maturity in shorter periods. While these solve what is becoming an insatiable appetite, they raise more questions about long-term safety.
Advancements in medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals have not been immune to mistaken assumptions and miscalculations. A drug placed on the market for curative purposes can disappear within a few years due to further long-term risks.
So if it can happen in other science fields, can we afford to do so with our food supply?
No Easy Answers
Each of these topics raise a plethora of questions and debates with no simple answers. Although the term "organic" is a product of legislating and lobbying, it creates certain expectations in the marketplace. For some, it communicates health; for others, it suggests better environmental practices.
Nevertheless, there needs to be greater discussion on setting wider, global policies on organics to achieve some of the environmental and economic advantages of organic agriculture. But this must be a coordinated effort by the developed and developing world. In too many of the discussions, we speculate about numerous detriments, but have no conclusions because long-term information is still incomplete. Should we accept this uncertain status quo?
© 2009 Flavor Hub, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
