Genetically Modified Foods vs. Organic Foods

   I was concerned with the quality of the foods that are consumed in the kitchens of families today and the health effects on people in general. A lot of today’s foods are being genetically modified to increase profitability in some cases to the detriment of the health of the people who consume the product.  In the United States the dairy cattle were injected with Bovine Somatotropin or B.S.T.  a growth hormone to increase productivity of milk, this hormone has been banned in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and 27 European Union Countries. The dairy cattle are susceptible to foot problems, mastitis, lameness and 40% reduction in fertility rate. There is a possible increased risk of breast cancer, Colon cancer and Prostate cancer currently the F.D.A does not require labeling for B.S.T.

 Curenttly scientists are developing a Salmon for production and consumption that will increase in size twice as fast as a natural Salmon by altering it’s DNA. Some companies hold patent rights on the soya been feed for cattle that has already been genetically altered any farmer found to be using the feed with out permission can be sued, I don’t know if it’s right to hold patents on any living thing simply because it’s D.N.A has been changed. First it starts with soya beans then salmon what happens if one day the genetic make up of a human being is altered will a company be able to hold a patent on human life from the day your born to the day you die? I hope not. They say that by genetically modifying food types that it will eradicate world hunger as well as eliminate unwanted disease and increase the shelf life of the food. If this is such a wonder cure why doesn’t the Federal Drug Administration in the states label the food as “Genetically Modified”. Simple, no one would by it, not even a third world country. I believe that when you alter life forms there will be side effects that will harm the biodiversity of the planet.

 Organic farming is a far safer way of producing food in it’s natural state. The vitamin and mineral content in organic foods are far superior to those growen using pesticides, by accessing the soil’s natural nutrients organic foods are safer and healthy then other food produce. Organic foods are free of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides making it a considerable benefit to consumers on the other hand an increase in disease connected to the use of toxins on plant life such as various cancers. In some cases it has risen dramatically from 1972 to 2004 by as much as 50% in just 32 years, organically grown food has better food quality and flavour because of the nutrients in the soil that it is grown in. There are lower costs in organic production as well by not utilizing agrochemicals the fertilizers are made through green manuring and leguminous crop rotation or by composting or worm farming, some farmers us a microbial solution to spray on the crops. Soil remineralization and Keyline chisel ploughing allow benefits to production at minimal maintenance costs.

Image via Wikipedia

Whether you prefer genetically engineered foods or Organic foods in the end it’s always good to remember  “we are what we eat”.