chemicals that combat disease, but they also include portions of the makeup of different plants. Hence the name “Frankenfoods”. Allow me to explain.
Every plant is susceptible to a certain disease or to a certain insect. One type of bug will eat a stalk of wheat, but it may not touch soybeans for example. If you can determine what part of that soybean plant that particular bug finds offensive, and you were able to genetically alter the wheat plant to include this offensive substance, then in theory the bug would not attack the wheat plant either.
This is what our scientists have come up with. They are able to take portions of different plants that offer resistance to disease and insect attacks, and genetically breed these substances into plants that do not offer resistance to that particular disease or insect.
Therefore, what we now have may be a potato that is really part corn, part rose petal, or part birch tree. Our soybean may be made up of part canola, part wheat plant, and part alfalfa. What you think is a sunflower seed, may still look like a sunflower seed, but may in fact be something quite different.
The chemical composition of that kernel of wheat has been electrically altered so that this kernel of wheat, even though it may still look like a kernel of wheat, is no longer the kernel of wheat that used to be compatible with our electrical makeup. It has been genetically altered to be quite different from the food that Mother Nature designed for us.
The farmer no longer has a choice as to whether or not he wants to spray his crops, the decision has been made for him. The organic farmer, who wants to grow organic quality crops will not be able to if he uses seeds that have been genetically modified.
What makes all of this really scary is that no testing has been done to determine any effects this genetic engineering may have on human health. Nobody knows if this experiment will cause cancer, or brain damage, or deformed children, or heart disease, or anything else. The same as nobody knew of the deformities and disease that have been caused by the drugs that we were all told were safe to use during the past fifty years.
All of this genetic engineering has been going on for a lot of years. Our scientists, with the blessing and financial assistance of our government, have taken it upon themselves to test this genetically modified food on our population.
I find it difficult to imagine the arrogance of these people who have been using us as guinea pigs for their genetic experiments. This practice has been banned in parts of Europe, and I can only hope that our politicians will come to their senses and ban genetically modified food products in North America as well.
For anyone interested in the ongoing battle over GMO foods, Google "GMO myths and truths", and a lot of information will be made available.
Organic Farming
Now that I have painted a very bleak picture of our food supply, let me say that there is a small bit of light at the end of that long dark tunnel. What I am referring to is going back to the way our ancestors grew their gardens one hundred years ago, and that is growing our food organically.
Organic food does not refer to a special type of food, but to the way in which food is grown and processed. Food is generally considered “organic” if it is produced using only natural additives, with no chemicals added.
Organic food production refers to a system of farming that maintains and replenishes the fertility of the soil. Organic foods are produced without the use of toxic pesticides or industrial waste products. Organic foods are processed to maintain the integrity of the food without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation.
The whole idea behind organic farming is to stay in tune with nature. This means building up and maintaining the cycle of life that is meant to be in our soil. It means putting natural nutrients back into the soil. It means keeping the soil alive and healthy.
Some of the objectives of organic food production are as follows:
a) To replenish and maintain long term fertility by providing optimal conditions for soil biological activity.
b) To produce viable quantities of high quality nutritious food and feed.
c) To encourage “closed cycle” farming systems using local resources and recycled nutrients.
d) To enhance ecological cycles within the food production system.
e) To maintain genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its surroundings, including protection of plants and wildlife habitat.
f) To sustain the land in a healthy condition for the enjoyment and use of future generations.
One group out of New York is working on a certification program that would seek complete compliance with the following standards.
a) Soils to be ecologically managed to conserve and recycle humus and nutrients by regular soil tests, crop rotation, cover crops, manures and composts. Naturally occurring organic matter, mineral and microbial fertilizers, not chemically fortified, may be used. Except for certain regulated substances, all synthetic fertilizers are prohibited.
b) Seeds and seedlings shall be, whenever possible, organically grown.
c) Weed control is to be by cropping practices such as timely planting and cultivation, cover crops, crop rotation, proper fertilizations and mulches. All chemical herbicides are prohibited.
d) Insect control to be provided by a healthy soil and farm ecosystem. Insect control must not harm the soil or farm ecosystem, or leave harmful residues. Approved methods include natural predators and parasites, mechanical removal, biological and botanical insecticides, attractants and traps. All synthetic insecticides and irradiation, a process that exposes food to radioactive material in order to kill bacteria, are prohibited.
e) Diseases are less of a problem when seeds and plants are selected for organic purity and grown in well-balanced fertile soil. Outbreaks to be treated by appropriate cultural practices, and natural non-toxic methods.
f) Harvest and storage shall minimize insects and rodents without synthetic fumigants, insecticides, preservatives, irradiation or prohibited substances.
g) Processing and packaging to be without any synthetic substances such as artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, antibiotics, and irradiation.
The above objectives and standards give us a very good description of what organic farming is intended to be. As you can see, it is all about producing our food in such a manner as to stay in harmony with nature.
Organic farming has come a long way in North America. Sales of organic food is now in the many billions of dollars a year and doing well, and the market is enjoying a growth rate of 10% a year.
As with everything else in a free market economy, supply and demand determines the success of any venture, and organic farming is no different. If we want this industry to grow and provide healthy food for ourselves and for our family, it is up to us to support it. We can do our part by supporting our local organic farmer, and eating only those food products that we know to be organic, or as close to organic as possible.
You may think that organic food costs more, but that is not really the case. Prices of organic food reflect many of the same costs as conventional food in terms of growing, harvesting, transportation, and storage.
However, organically produced
