What I think (now in the right spot!) - Edit 1
Before modification by Sareitha Sedai at 12/09/2012 04:10:36 PM
...is that the whole system of food production/distribution in the U.S. has come about from priorities more focused on profit and politics than health and nutrition.
...and that I...let's say "have concerns about" the FDA and USDA.
...and that nobody has any idea what health effects the cumulative and/or long-term ingestion of pesticides or GMO foods will have. For me this is a health play and not an environmental play, which is not to say that I ignore the environmental pieces of the issue...just that they don't tend to be the deciding factors for me.
I will be the first to admit that thinking about the food system in the U.S. turns me into a crackpot conspiracy theorist
So. I don't pay more to buy organic for the sake of buying organic except for a few produce items that tend to contain the most pesticides or where I'm going to be eating the skin of the food. Otherwise if I end up buying organic it's because it's no more expensive or because my priorities/preferences are such that the easiest (or sometimes only) way to get what I want is by buying organic.
1. Do you think organic food is healthier/safer/more nutritious than ordinary food?
I think it is healthier and safer, yes. Edit to clarify: I think this is true for the organic foods I choose to buy, not just anything with an "organic" label on it. I think an organic potato is safer and healthier than a non-organic potato, but an organic box of processed macaroni and cheese is not safer nor healthier than a non-organic box of processed macaroni and cheese
2. What do you think is the most important benefit derived from organic farming?
From a health perspective, it's the lack of pesticides. From an economic and political perspective, it's allowed smaller-scale farms to compete with the giant agribusinesses and factory farms and given U.S. consumers more choice.
3. What do you think will be the role of organic food in 20 years? Will it continue to grow in the future?
I hope so. I guess that depends on why and how people are buying organic.
4. At least the world's population will continue to grow. Is it sensible to push for organic farming with its low crop yields when people are starving?
I think farming can be non-organic and still not be as harmful as the current prevalent factory farming methods. I believe if health (of workers and consumers) is taken into consideration along with crop yield and profit there can be responsible pesticide use.
5. Should the use of GMOS be allowed in organic farming?
No, if only because I fear that will be the only way we'll even still have access to non-GMO food in the U.S. (and with crop drift that might be impossible anyway).
...and that I...let's say "have concerns about" the FDA and USDA.
...and that nobody has any idea what health effects the cumulative and/or long-term ingestion of pesticides or GMO foods will have. For me this is a health play and not an environmental play, which is not to say that I ignore the environmental pieces of the issue...just that they don't tend to be the deciding factors for me.
I will be the first to admit that thinking about the food system in the U.S. turns me into a crackpot conspiracy theorist
So. I don't pay more to buy organic for the sake of buying organic except for a few produce items that tend to contain the most pesticides or where I'm going to be eating the skin of the food. Otherwise if I end up buying organic it's because it's no more expensive or because my priorities/preferences are such that the easiest (or sometimes only) way to get what I want is by buying organic. 1. Do you think organic food is healthier/safer/more nutritious than ordinary food?
I think it is healthier and safer, yes. Edit to clarify: I think this is true for the organic foods I choose to buy, not just anything with an "organic" label on it. I think an organic potato is safer and healthier than a non-organic potato, but an organic box of processed macaroni and cheese is not safer nor healthier than a non-organic box of processed macaroni and cheese
2. What do you think is the most important benefit derived from organic farming?
From a health perspective, it's the lack of pesticides. From an economic and political perspective, it's allowed smaller-scale farms to compete with the giant agribusinesses and factory farms and given U.S. consumers more choice.
3. What do you think will be the role of organic food in 20 years? Will it continue to grow in the future?
I hope so. I guess that depends on why and how people are buying organic.
4. At least the world's population will continue to grow. Is it sensible to push for organic farming with its low crop yields when people are starving?
I think farming can be non-organic and still not be as harmful as the current prevalent factory farming methods. I believe if health (of workers and consumers) is taken into consideration along with crop yield and profit there can be responsible pesticide use.
5. Should the use of GMOS be allowed in organic farming?
No, if only because I fear that will be the only way we'll even still have access to non-GMO food in the U.S. (and with crop drift that might be impossible anyway).