Glyphosate (Roundup) is out but fungicides like copper sulphate are in. Genetically modified Bt corn is out but Bt spray is in. Gene editing is out but radiation and chemical mutagenesis is fine. Gene technologies take a more scientific approach. It is not the method but the outcome that is important. Safe, sustainable, healthy food produced efficiently and backed up by evidence is the philosophy of modern science.
Organics often has a lower local environmental footprint simply because it produces less. However, in a world that has population pressures, less produced locally means more produced somewhere else.
GM is popular with farmers, increasing their profitability and reducing food costs while saving more than 174 million hectares of natural landscape from going under the plough for the same output.
As organics struggles against the threat it will become irrelevant and sidelined. Perhaps its leaders will open their minds to new technologies and embrace a future that is more sustainable, healthier and science driven.
Related on the SLP
Viewpoint: ‘A very curious form of self-sabotage’ — Organic industry rejects crop biotechnology solutions for environmental damage caused by widespread copper sulfate use
Viewpoint: Why Washington should sharply increase funding for intensive agricultural to address climate change, spur sustainability
Conventional agriculture in turn could learn from organics’ strong focus on soil health.
