Genetically Modified Food Debate

[Ironberg]

Actually, asides from the "roundup ready" crop seeds, pesticides are one of the things that GMO's are taking care of. With genetic modification we are using millions of pounds less pesticides that we used to.

 

Chemically blasted, or genetically modified. Which do you go for? Personally I go with the GMO's rather than all the DDT, and crap of that nature.

[DLopez]

I tend to think that the organic versus non-organic debate is a bit overblown.

 

I'm sure 'organically grown' foods are a good idea, but the higher prices they command have essentially put them in the "gormet" class of groceries. Organic vs. non-organic vegetables is like filet mignon vs chuck steak to meat eaters!

 

Besides, is there any real, hard proof that non-organic foods are causing health problems? Not only that, but wouldn't everyone agree that the majority of health problems in the US stem from eating high fat, high cholesterol, fast foods and snacks, and not non-organic vegetables?

 

I really believe many US health problems would drop considerably if more folks "ate their veggies", whether they are organically grown or not!

[TheDevilAside]

agreed.

[Beka]

Besides, is there any real, hard proof that non-organic foods are causing health problems? Not only that, but wouldn't everyone agree that the majority of health problems in the US stem from eating high fat, high cholesterol, fast foods and snacks, and not non-organic vegetables?

 

I really believe many US health problems would drop considerably if more folks "ate their veggies", whether they are organically grown or not!

 

There isn't much hard proof for now, but we haven't been using man made pesticides for long enough to really understand their long-term effects. That is something I won't wait on an answer for. If they pollute the earth (which they definately do), then why wouldn't they pollute our bodies?

 

I don't eat fast food, and as a vegetarian I consume very little cholesterol, and an almost trivial amount of animal based fat. So those issues don't really concern me. My concern is vegetables. Of course, everyone should be eating more veggies, organic or conventional, but it would be nice if we could farm sustainably and in a way that didn't for sure destroy the environment and most likely harm humans.

[monkeygirl]

Chemically blasted, or genetically modified. Which do you go for?

 

I'd also go with GMO's over chemically blasted. Might as well start on a genetic level rather than modifying them after the fact and causing pollution.

[DLopez]

I was talking with a friend who brought up a subject he'd been hearing about... that athletes today are getting bigger, stronger, and faster, and one of the prevailing notions for the reason why is that our food sources, animals and plants, are given growth hormones (animals) and fertilizers (plants) to stimulate growth.

 

Interesting notion, but what about the non-athletes I asked? I think athletes today are just training to a higher standard and many are just secretly using steroids or other performance enhancing substances.

[kchenault]

science also bought us the A-bomb, and its negative effects are still being discovered.

 

If science hadn't discovered the A-bomb, we would all be speaking german or japanese right now.

 

Back to the vegetables. If a tomato isn't red enough for you, leave it on the window sill to get some sun. That will usually ripen them up for you. Most store bought veggies are like that. Jusy don't over do it or they will rot. I always look fo somewhat "green" veggies as they last at home a little longer. I don't buy organic because it is not cost effective for my family of six.

[ZR440]

Spend twice as much time and money on organic food for what? The chance at living five years longer? No thanks.

[kchenault]

And everybody said AMEN!

[Fenris-wolf]

The problem with GM food is primarily that there have been NO CONCLUSIVE TESTS. It is a relatively new technology, it simply cannot be guaranteed this early on that there will be no side effects.

 

And when our Prime Minister talks about "controlled field trials" - what, is she nuts? I mean, these are plants we're talking about here. Outside of a laboratory it is pretty difficult to stop pollen from drifting and infecting wild/non-GM plants.

 

Moreover, our understanding of how biology works at this level is far too limited for me to have any faith in the reassurances of the scientists involved.

 

And finally, GM is useful, but do we really need to modify our food? About the only people it benefits is the companies producing the seeds, not even the farmers who are often forced into contracts with the company where they have to continue using their seeds even when it is less economically stable for them.