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Originally Posted by pyotr
It's true that organic foods have been shown to be lower in synthetic pesticides - when kids eat conventional produce, they pee out pesticides in large amounts, when the same kids switch out to organic produce, they stop peeing out these pesticides (studies published last Fall). Yet there is still no research showing what if any damage or harm comes to humans from being exposed to these pesticides (theoretical concerns only). In addition, there is good research showing that "organic produce" have higher levels of non-synthetic ("natural") pesticides (like pyrethrins and rotenones). Unfortunately, neither the FDA nor the organic certifying organizations are measuring and monitoring these "natural" pesticide classifications. There is plentiful evidence in animal studies that many of these "natural" pesticides (which the organic industry ignores) are just as harmful as "synthetic" pesticides that the organic industry vilifies so much.
Secondly, there have been several good studies demonstrating that organic produce are more contaminated with pathogenic bacteria (various strains of E.coli, Salmonella, and other enteric bacteria). That is, organic produce are "dirtier" than conventional produce. This is a byproduct of the "organic" manure smeared on organic produce in order to fertilize them. I don't think this method is in any way "healthier" or more nutritional than conventional fertilizing methods using cleaner nitrogen fertilizers - it is in fact much more dangerous.
Large-scale antibiotic use in corporate farming is a huge problem and needs to be curtailed. Despite indications suggesting a greater awareness of the dangers of antibiotic overusage by organic farmers and a "desire" to withhold antibiotic/antifungal etc. usage in their husbandry, it is quite clear that almost all organic farms, especially the large organic corporations, use antibiotics systematically in order to maintain their animals/plants.
There is a demonization of "genetically-modified" foods by the pro-organic crowd also - all conjured up by people who don't understand what a genetic modification is. I guess if you don't understand it, you're against it. I think it's time for the organic industry and the rest of the pro-organic crowd to pay more attention to these and other problems with the organic industry. By other problems, I'm talking about the fundamental potential for corruption within the organic certification process (politically, financially, etc.).
I'm tempted to buy organic apples, oranges, carrots, celery. I don't because the prices are outrageous and I've not found any evidence that eating organic is in fact healthier for me and my kids. Kids peeing pesticides does sound shocking and repulsive, but that's just an emotional response. I'd love to see some real evidence that organic produce reduces the incidence of cancer, childhood developmental delays, or any other plausible end-results. My guess is that we'll never see such evidence because in fact the contrary may be true. So don't think you're superior just because you eat organic - you may just be getting duped by the industry.
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Well, you've all probably heard that Walmart will introduce a huge organic line, effectively bringing healthy eating to the masses.
I'm not sure where you get your info from, but i don't think it's true that organic farmers routinely use antibiotics. Also, the reason you may not find a study that 'proves' years of eating organic reduces the incidence of cancer is because it would be impossible to conduct a rigorous scientific test that would discount for other factors entirely independent of eating organic. For instance, how would you know that an adult who spent 30 years eating only organic was cancer free, becus of eating organic or becus he also led a healthy lifestyle in other ways, such as regularly exercising, maintaining a healthy body weight, family genetics and so on?
It is true that even organic produce contains small residual amounts of pesticides. So it's not entirely organic, but certainly a great deal safer to eat than produce grown using conventional pesticides. The residual amounts show up on organic produce becus many farmers grow produce both organically and not organiclly, and when the not organic fields are being sprayed, depending on wind conditons, there's a certain amount of pesticide blown around. I address this concern by using Veggie Wash spray, which is supposed to remove various residues more effectively than water alone. Their website references their own studies as to effectiveness. Do I have absolute proof? No, but for the price i pay for it, it's worth it.
The whole genetic modification of food is an entirely separate issue. It's not just pro-organic people who oppose it, by the way, becus the issues are entirely different than using pesticides, or not.