Comments on: Health Care Begins with a Grocery Cart

By: allergykids

allergykids — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:12:02 +0000

The yield argument is sure to spark a debate. Research shows that industry funded data, presented by Monsanto and other corporations who have invested in the patented technology designed to drive yields, supports the point above. However, when independent data is conducted on yields, it often finds that this new technology does not deliver as promised. Of particular interest is that Monsanto has recently conceded to Wall Street investors that some of their earlier patents and technologies have not delivered the yields they were hoping for, as they launch the next generation of these genetic technologies. As a result, farmers in other developed countries are now asking for extended field trials before introducing these new technologies, impacting Monsanto and the industry’s R & D costs with additional expenses .

By: Drew Taylor

Drew Taylor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:17:13 +0000

“Organic food costs more than its conventional counterparts because our taxpayer dollars are not used to support organic farms to the same extent that our dollars are used to support conventional farms. Under our current system, it is more profitable for farmers to grow crops laced with chemicals than organic ones because they will receive larger government handouts from the USDA Farm Subsidy program, more marketing assistance and stronger crop insurance programs.”

Not true. This argument doesn’t explain why organically grown product is significantly more expensive than conventionally grown product across the board. “Specialty crops” (i.e. most fresh fruits and vegetables) don’t get subsidized by the USDA, yet organic produce still costs more than conventional produce. The main reason is due to lower yields with organically grown produce, not subsidies.