Organic crops vs. GMOs

ttp://www.npr.org/2011/03/01/134162035/a-growing-debate-how-to-define-organic-food?ft=1&f=1007

A Growing Debate: How to Define ‘Organic Food’

By: Dan Charles

An article from NPR

March 1, 2011

Summary

This article discusses the issue of GMO crops and the conflict caused because of them. The Department of Agriculture declared it legal for farmers in America to plant genetically engineered alfalfa this past February. Alfalfa is commonly used as feed for horses and dairy cows. The USDA’s decision was widely opposed, especially by organic food producers. At a Horizon Organic farm in eastern Maryland, the cows graze on pasture fields during the summer months. However, during the winter the cows have to eat a mixture of soybeans, alfalfa, silage, corn, clover and triticale grass because field grass doesn’t grow. In the corn, there is a little bit of something genetically engineered, and a lot of disagreements have been caused by this. The cross-pollination between organic and modified corn fed to the livestock is unavoidable, though.

In America, the majority of corn is genetically modified, and because corn is a cross-pollinator, organic corn often winds up with genes from GE corn, thanks to windblown pollen. This means that almost always, .5 to 2 percent of organic corn grown in the U.S. contains GMOs.

Regulations from the T require organic farmers to use organic farming methods on their crops, which are never allowed to be GMOs. So, even if a little bit of genetically engineered genes blow onto a crop, it can still be considered organic.

However, the public response to this isn’t so positive. Like Ronnie Cummins, from the Organic Consumers Association says, organic farmers need to do the right thing. If they’re not willing to sue the people who pollute their organic crops, then the public isn’t going to stand up for them. Other anti-biotech activists feel the same way. Groups against GMOs are now focusing on alfalfa, the GE crop most recently approved by the government.

The Organic Trade Association’s executive director even said that if “pollen from GMO alfalfa fertilizes alfalfa in organic hay fields, you can’t … sell it as organic.” That statement is hard to believe, because if it were true, meaning that organic crops are no longer organic if they are cross-pollinated, there would be barely any organic food left in the U.S.

Because of all the anti-GMO campaigns going on, people are starting to question whether or not to trust organic food. A lot of consumers insist on having no contamination in organic crops. In fact, according to a survey stated in the article, 77 percent of organic consumers would refuse to buy organic food if it was found to contain GMOs. That’s one of the primary concerns in the organic industry today-how consumers view their products. Even though only one-tenth of 1 percent of animal feed may be contaminated, people are still unsure of whether or not it’s safe to call it organic.

In conclusion, there have been a lot of arguments and disputes lately between the organic and GMO industries.

Opinion/Reflection

I was personally shocked about all the fighting going on between the organic and GMO industries. In fact, before we studied this topic in science, I was completely unaware that it was going on.

This article relates to science class because we have been discussing for a while exactly what GMOs are, and the arguments going on between organic and GMO farmers. I felt this article went along with that topic perfectly.

I think that both sides have a ton of support, so this dispute could go on for many years. In fact, I honestly believe it might, considering how popular GE crops are becoming despite how much they affect organic crops.

I feel that genetically engineering crops is pretty neat, because it can help improve plants and animals in some way. However, I don’t think it’s right that the GE crops can contaminate organic crops. Organic farmers need to make a living too, and it’s just not fair if GMO farmers can simply come along, plant their crops, and not have to worry what nearby organic fields they’re polluting. Buffer zones need to be between the two fields, or some other solution needs to be reached.

This whole argument is getting to a point now where I feel it needs to be resolved. I think that GMO crops should be allowed, but they must have restrictions, like not being planted so close to organic crops (that they could contaminate).

Ask Questions

1) Which side are you on? Organic farmers or GMO farmers?

2) Do you think a middle ground can be reached between the opposing forces? If so, what?

3) Do you think it’s logical for people who eat organic food to stop buying organic crops if they contain even traces of GMOs?

4) Do you agree with Ronnie Cummins’ statement that organic farmers need to begin standing up for themselves? Why or why not?

5) How do you feel about the Organic Trade Association’s executive director’s statement? Do you think it’s reasonable?

6) Do you think that GMO farmers will eventually run organic farmers out of business? Why or why not?

Add a graphic

The picture at the top on the left clearly shows a group of people protesting GMOs.

The image at the top on the right shows what genetically engineered alfalfa looks like. GE alfalfa is one of the most recent genetically engineered crops to be approved.