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Should physicians be required to educate their patients on nutrition and the choice of eating organic?
The controversy and debate between eating genetically modified food or organic food has been floating around for years. They both have their advantages and there disadvantages but if physicians were able to educate their patients or if schools have more of an educational system about nutrition than people can make the decision for themselves. It is important to learn, explore and ask questions about the substances being put in the body. Obtaining the knowledge of how food is grown and what pesticides and chemicals were put on it will provide a clear mind and conscience.
1. Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) is a non-profit organization that urges parents to educate themselves on organic styles of living and how to protect their children from toxic chemicals. The organization discusses public policies, research, publications and chemical profiles. They urge anyone to volunteer and get involved in the movement to protect the world’s youth from harmful chemicals that have been invading food, playgrounds, toys and even clothing. HCHW strives to engage communities, advocate government policies and help the public learn to live healthier lifestyles. An example of their work is shown in this video. (Institutional)
2. Genetically Modified Foods website is a site dedicated to the education of GM foods. They are an unbias internet site that explains every aspect of the biotechnology behind genetically produced food. They discuss the debates and controversy over GM foods, how you grow them, health affects, all the negative issues and proposed benefits of GM foods. The site wants American’s to decide for themselves if GM food or organic food is right for them. (Academic)
3. David Hoyle is an Organic Farmer who lives just outside of Eugene, Oregon. His profession revolves around growing produce organically. He faces the competition of the GM food business and is educated on the importance of an organic diet. He relays his occupation to how he raises his family. He believes a healthy lifestyle requires an organic lifestyle. (Citizen)
David Hoyle: (541) 935-7952)
4. The Environmental Science and Pollution Research article explored how genetically engineered food fields differ from conventional fields. Their results stunningly displayed that some important insect species were simply not present on GMHT fields while conventional fields maintained the same insects. These findings lead to questions like: Are GM food fields killing off important insect species? Killing off insect species can cause great environmental damage. One of the insect species that are dying off because of the chemicals they put on genetically engineered food fields are honey bees. Albert Einstein, a genius who shaped science, once stated, “If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” (Journalistic)
Squire G.R, Hawes C., Begg, G.H. and Young M.W. 2009. Cumulative impact of GM herbicide tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 16, 85-94. February 22, 2010 4:30pm.
5. In 2000 Deborah B. Whitman released her book “Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?” Whitman attended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting in Washington D.C. in November of 1999. In her book she gives an overview of how the government is playing a role regulating genetically engineered foods. She tackles the advantages and the disadvantages of GM foods and describes how genetically processed food is labeled. Some advantages of GM foods are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, drought tolerance and nutrition. The criticisms are environmental hazards, human health risks and economic worries. (Academic)
“Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful.” Whitman B., Deborah. April 2000.
6. Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1997. OMRI provides organic certifiers, manufacturers, growers and suppliers an independent review of their organic farm’s produce with National Organic Standards. They also provide an organic seeds list to help organic growers find different organic seeds. The company is actually stationed in Eugene, Oregon. They are organic experts whom can relate any information about the production and review of organic food. (Institutional)
7. Food Standards Agency released an unbias article about GM food information. The article describes how GM foods began and how scientists are trying to utilize altering organisms so they can actually help human health. Chemicals that they use either by injection or spray can prevent certain sicknesses and allergies. Scientists believe that by using these sprays and injections will allow people to avoid going to the doctor so often because of illness and prevent the amount of sick days during a year. Ultimately the specific genetically produced food is a benefit to health and can strengthen immunity. (Journalistic)
8. Susan Dwoskin is a fifth grade teacher and citizen of Eugene, Oregon whom participates in environmental groups and encourages the lifestyle of eating organic. She is a wise woman who has accumulated a great knowledge about GM food and why our society should go organic. Her own experience by raising a family on only organic food and organic products like lotions and shampoos to organic cloth on their clothing has served her well to be a great educational source. (Citizen)
Susan Dwoskin: (541) 953-7308
9. The Human Genome Project analyzes the benefits and controversies of genetically modified food. The project is pro genetically modified foods because the genetically processed food can be with stand weather extremes, be insect resistant and only retain the desired nutrition. Planting the GM fields and production is cheaper and has more health benefits which can help malnutrition in third world countries. GM products can also help the producers business by producing more for a smaller cost. (Journalistic)
10. Meghan Perez is a student at University of Oregon who states, “She is content with eating non-organic food because it is cost effective and quick.” Meghan, like many other students at campuses around the United States, lives off of fast food that is cost efficient because of the fast paced lifestyle she lives. Meghan has little help from her parents paying for her college education. She holds 2 jobs while trying to maintain her grades and social life so eating unhealthy seems to be her only option. (Citizen)
Meghan Perez: (925) 286-7067
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