11 May 06
organic is better. pesticides and chemical fertilizers, even on crops not intended for food, contaminate the water table.
organic foods taste better and have higher vitimen/mineral content.
just a side note: I find it interesting that grocery stores label produce either "organic" or "convetional". Since pesticides and chemical fertilzers have only been availiable for the past 50 or so years, organic farming has been practiced much longer, and is more "conventional" than the grocery store label "conventional"... but I suppose labeling fruit "toxic" doesn't sell as well.
11 May 06
Originally posted by Darth SpongeI just found a carton of 'organic' sugar, and I mixed it with the old INorganic stuff, I guess thats what you would have to call it, eh, hope I don't get a ticket or something!
organic is better. pesticides and chemical fertilizers, even on crops not intended for food, contaminate the water table.
organic foods taste better and have higher vitimen/mineral content.
just a side note: I find it interesting that grocery stores label produce either "organic" or "convetional". Since pesticides and chemical fertilzers hav ...[text shortened]... e label "conventional"... but I suppose labeling fruit "toxic" doesn't sell as well.
11 May 06
Originally posted by Darth SpongeDuring my research I found claims that if the US went entirly organic that we would loose 30 million acres to farming. all from loss of production.
organic is better. pesticides and chemical fertilizers, even on crops not intended for food, contaminate the water table.
organic foods taste better and have higher vitimen/mineral content.
just a side note: I find it interesting that grocery stores label produce either "organic" or "convetional". Since pesticides and chemical fertilzers hav ...[text shortened]... e label "conventional"... but I suppose labeling fruit "toxic" doesn't sell as well.
12 May 06
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensI just read in my Heath class how many people is estimated to get cancer and health problems due to pestisides and fertalizer. I forget the numbers but it was pretty big.
During my research I found claims that if the US went entirly organic that we would loose 30 million acres to farming. all from loss of production.
12 May 06
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensI saw an excellent lecture by Tony Trewavas a couple of years ago.
I am writing a paper on the cost/bennifits of each. Any opinions out there in chessland.
This pdf should dispell alot of rumours currently doing the rounds (some of which are being parroted by people here too....
http://www.biology.ed.ac.uk/research/institutes/plant/PDF/2004/Trewavas-2004-757.pdf
12 May 06
Originally posted by sonhouseerm. no. a recent review summarised that organic foods have no higher mineral content than regular foods. and in some cases, organic foods are worse off than normal foods, eg. nuts etc at at a higher risk of containing carcinogens such as aflatoxins. Not only that, but in NZ it was found that organic apples actually have higher DDT content than normal apples, since the copper pesticides organic farmers use destroy soil microbiota that would otherwise breakdown pesticides. and organic farms have lower production, but in terms of profit this is offset by the much higher profit margins on organic produce. thats my 2c.
I just found a carton of 'organic' sugar, and I mixed it with the old INorganic stuff, I guess thats what you would have to call it, eh, hope I don't get a ticket or something!
12 May 06
Originally posted by xcomradexindeed, and small doses of pesticides actually promote the immune system, so people get less sick less often. Also, during organic cropping agriculture nutrients are constantly being taken out of the soil year on year and not replaced, which ultimately damages the soil fertility.
erm. no. a recent review summarised that organic foods have no higher mineral content than regular foods. and in some cases, organic foods are worse off than normal foods, eg. nuts etc at at a higher risk of containing carcinogens such as aflatoxins. Not only that, but in NZ it was found that organic apples actually have higher DDT content than normal appl ...[text shortened]... erms of profit this is offset by the much higher profit margins on organic produce. thats my 2c.
12 May 06
Originally posted by scottishinnzWhat do you mean they promote the immune system? I can see how they'd make the immune system stronger against the specific pesticide the person was exposed to, but not stronger in a general sense.
indeed, and small doses of pesticides actually promote the immune system, so people get less sick less often. Also, during organic cropping agriculture nutrients are constantly being taken out of the soil year on year and not replaced, which ultimately damages the soil fertility.
12 May 06
Originally posted by AThousandYoungYes. But if I am not mistaken that is to keep the prices higher. Because of technology used on farms today farmers produce a surplus. Supply and demand says that if there is a surplus prices fall, driving farmers out of buisness. And that can creat a food shortage driving prices back up. In Wisconsin farmers recive tax incentives to let land go fallow, and let people hunt it. If anybody knows the exact details feel free to correct me.
Don't we pay our farmers not to produce?
12 May 06
Originally posted by scottishinnzFor some reason, Im somehow not believing that. I'm betting that whoever (if anyone) did that study, said that for political purposes. And like ATY said, I dont see how It would help the immune system. (except maybe for that specific pesticide). Google it, There are many studies done that proves Pestisides are harmful for intake
indeed, and small doses of pesticides actually promote the immune system, so people get less sick less often. Also, during organic cropping agriculture nutrients are constantly being taken out of the soil year on year and not replaced, which ultimately damages the soil fertility.