When we hear the word “organic”, we think of fresh and healthy foods that cannotpossibly have any negative effects on the world. Words like “organic” and “natural” have obtained such a positive connotation that many seem to care only for these descriptionswhen grocery shopping. In fact, after surveying 300 shoppers, it was discoveredthat 70% seek to purchase organic foods, despite only 20% knowing what “organic”actually means. With these statistics, there must be something about organic foods that makes them so popular. However, examiningthe true nature of “organics” provide far more detriments than benefits.

Many who seek to buy organic foods do so only because they believe they are healthier, even if it means spending extra money. However, researchers have found that organic foods do not contain more vitaminsthan other foods. While it is true that non-organic foods may contain unnatural chemicals, the amounts of foreign substances are well within a healthy limit. There is absolutely nothing about organic foods that makes them more nutritious than non-organic foods.

Other proponents of organic foods claim that growing by natural methods is better for the environment.

In this sense, advocates of natural foods have more merit.

However, this is not to say that organic farming is devoid of negative effects and inorganic farming is detrimental to the environment.

While it is true that inorganic farmers use pesticides that can hurt the environment, many fail to realize that organicfarmers also utilize pesticides, albeit on a smaller level.

From a broader perspective,however, it is clear that inorganic farming can produce far greater benefits for the world.

New GMOs (genetically modified organisms)are being developed that can greatly reduce the need for pesticides while simultaneouslyincreasing nutrition levels.

Furthermore, while organic farming may provide very miniscule improvements to the environment, it does so at the cost of production.

Natural farming generates only 80% of the food made by conventional farming.

In a world in which almost one billion people are suffering from hunger, it is far more important to maximize quantity.

The fallacy of organic foods must be exposed.

It is clear that they provide very few benefitsto both our health and to the environment.

Just because something is created naturally does not mean that it is inherently better. Revealing the true nature of “organics”is essential for the betterment of the world.



<Jaeyub Chung>