Are genetically modified foods necessary to feed the world’s growing population and organic foods just too expensive and gimmicky? Or is it that ‘fake foods’ do nothing for health but are actually harmful? Jayadev Calamur speaks to U.S.-based experts Kavin Senapathy, a science writer, and Vani Hari, who fervently believes that organic is the way to go, so you can decide for yourself.
Kavin Senapathy
In a world where organic food is gaining popularity amongst a small population, who have advocated its benefits, you, along with a group of scientists, have advocated the consumption of genetically modified foods. Why?
The organic industry’s goal of environmentally-friendly agriculture is a noble one, but it doesn’t live up to its promise. The idea that organic food is better for consumers and the environment than conventional or genetically engineered food is a pervasive myth.
The father of the Green Revolution Norman Borlaug once said, “There are 6.6 billion people on the planet today. With organic farming we could only feed four billion of them. Which two billion would volunteer to die? “Genetic engineering is necessary to feed the world’s growing population (slated to reach over 9 billion by 2050) while preserving our national resources. Genetically engineered varieties offer benefits to industry, consumers, and the environment.
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Vani Hari
You have been a huge advocate of going organic, not eating at fast foods and avoid GMOs. Why do you feel that the others are harmful to individuals?
GMOs can be found in about 80 percent of processed food in America, yet it is not labelled. GMOs come from seeds that are biologically manufactured in laboratories – injected with foreign DNA – and are completely different than hybridizing techniques allowed by nature. These foods have only been in our food supply since 1996 and long-term health impacts were not conducted before they were approved.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Organic vs GM: finding the grain of truth
