1. I have read through chapter 5, pages 1-82.
2. There have been many topics covered throughout each chapter. Some of them being: Genetically modified crops and the use of pesticides, the inhumanities of animal factories, the celebration/rituals of certain cultures, the evolutionary characteristics of animals and the necessity of food for survival.
3. I found the topic particularly on Agribusiness to be very interesting. Agribusiness is just a generic term that is used in agriculture, that has to do with the businesses in food production. From the beginning days of farming, farmers would delicately tend to their crops, by allowing great variety and time for the soil to replenish so that each plant received enough nutrients. Now days, this important technique rarely exists, depleting our soil and vegetation from its nutrition in order to grow mass quantities as fast as can be grown. Also, GM crops have been introduced, with the United States being their top producer. Genetically modified foods have coding that enables crops to become resistant to specific herbicides and pests. But the issue is, is that although there aren't many short term effects-- it is the long term cumulative effect that is of concern!!
4. This is a huge problem for society. GM crops are being spread globally, and it is hard to say how "organic" crops really can be these days. How are we supposed to stop seeds from catching wind and planting in organic fields? Or water run-offs? It is important that we find more data on this issue before releasing it to the world the way it has been-- specially for children, with them being more prone to such changes in diet. It is obviously difficult to know where ALL of your products from a grocery store are coming from, but that is why we need to start addressing this issue out loud. Ask your local grocery store if your produce is GM... if they do not have an adequate answer, you can request that this be done. Everyone can and should have an impact on this issue.
About Me
- Elly@Elly Dreams Green
- I am a Junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I love love LOVE the crisp smell that Fall brings, but also need the vitamin D that summer brings. I thoroughly enjoy photography and watching movies. To anyone that likes the outdoors, I'm sure we will get along quite well-- I dig fresh air :) I have a cat named Kozmo, who is quite crazy, and If it were more convenient at this time in my life, i'd have a dog as well. As you might conclude, I am an animal junky.
I think you bring up some good points about the natural aspect of farming. You cannot prevent nature from getting into an organic field or water, etc. The truth is that we can only control so many factors and then we must leave it up to mother nature. I still do not know how I feel about genetically modified food. I just think it is weird. You just want food, real food, not processed, not injected with chemicals, and not genetically altered.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that I've never heard of the word agribusiness but then again I guess I've never been too involved in the business aspect of farming. Im a little sad that you didnt go more into detail about the celebration/rituals of different cultures. That sounded really cool to me. I personally have never really been exposed to anything different than me in that manor. I would love to hear more.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, I, like brier, had never heard of agribusiness before. It is kind of sad everything is such a business, and the main purpose concern of most farmers today is not how organic or healthy their crops are but how much and how fast the foods can be grown. If only everything wasn't driven by money.
ReplyDeleteI think there was something about this in the Food, Inc. movie, which by the way, probably relates alot to the book you are reading. We should know exactly what's in the food we eat. If they can't put it on the label they are hiding something.
ReplyDeleteThe GM products- ugh! Did anyone ever have to watch the video, like in biology class, about all the chickens & cows & crops and all the nasty stuff used and how they are treated...icky...that's what that made me think of.
ReplyDeleteI always had an interests in Genetically modified foods. Your points are very good because it is hard to justified what is really organic or not. My book from read n' seed mentions a bit about this and corporations are the makers of the pesticides. Its disturbing to know about it but yes the long term effects are the reason why we should worry about it.
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