GMOs: Organics Best Friend?

Yesterdays New York Times ran a piece describing renewed interest in genetically modified crops (GMOs) even in countries that had "longstanding resistance" to their use. The piece is interesting because is ran shortly after "Sticker Shock in the Organic Isle" which describes how the rise in the cost of organic foods may begin to price people out of the market.

The two articles create an interesting juxtaposition and raise the ironic question, "will GMOs save organics?" The problem faced by the organic industry is that the recent surge in commodity prices has created a disincentive for farmers to make the three year transition to organic. Farmers switched over in the past because organic production was fetching a premium in an otherwise depressed market. With the economics of wheat and corn now turned upside down, the economic incentive for transition is gone. Further, the run up in prices combined with diminished consumer buying-power suggest the market for organics will level or perhaps decline. How many of you will be buying milk at $7 a gallon?

The renewed interest in genetically modified crops is driven by price and supply concerns. I know there are thoughtful analyses that take issue with the economics and productivity of GMOs, but for the moment the bottom line for producers is that they are enhancing production particularly on more marginal land. Further, the pressure to increase production is coming from the hungry citizens of less affluent countries where issues like externalities and perturbing nature are not primary concerns.

Increasing overall supply would serve the organic industry by alleviating the current price dynamic. This outcome appears much more likely than a surge in consumer buying power. Therefore, it may not be unreasonable to suggest that GMOs could prove to be organics best friend.

Comments

Charles:

Good on you, and keep up the good work; you will live richer for it. As you acknowledge, the vast majority of folks have already gone over to the big 5. Even without gene splicing they have homogenized the food supply. I love my farmers market as much as you appreciate your patio containers. We are both on the margins in that regard. As I acknowledged, I think the "economics" of GMOs are suspect; however, like it or not I expect market justice to prevail. Regardless, I expect you, and many other home growers, will end up with fabulous summer tomatoes regardless of Monsanto.... lets all feel good about that!

Ray

By Ray on 2008 04 23

Did you know that genetically modified plants can't make babies? They're sterile! When you buy genetically modified plant products, you're placing the future food supply in the hands of the "Patent Holder" of the genetic modification, companies such as Monsanto.

There are 5 huge corporations that control almost all of the world's food supply. They are:
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)
Conagra
Famland Industuries
Monsanto
and I have a brain fart for the last one at this moment.

Genetically modified means that we place the entire plant species future in the hands of the corporation who owns the patent to the GMO. Do you really want that? I certainly don't! I want to be able to save my own seeds and plant them in my garden, yard or patio containers for as long as I wish. If my plants are Genetically Modified--that won't work...they're sterile! They can't make babies! Their ONLY FUTURE is with the company who controls the seed AND FUTURE PRICES AND PRODUCTION.

SO, if you think prices for organic are too high, simply grow your own! You can do it easily in your landscape--front or back yard or on your patio in containers.

Please Readers, try to get THE BIG PICTURE! Remember the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper don't you? This depbate is about that.

By Charles on 2008 04 23