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An organic agriculture perspective on biotechnology |
B. LEAHY, California Certified Organic Farmers, 1115 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Organic agriculture emphasizes a sustainable approach to agricultural production that excludes the use of such biotechnology methods used to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes and are not considered compatible with organic production. Such methods include cell fusion, microencapsulation and macroencapsulation, and recombinant DNA technology. In the United States, organic agriculture and its allowable practices are defined in the National Organic Rule. This presentation will include a brief history of organic agriculture, describe organic production practices, and discuss the future of organic agriculture. Points of concern regarding biotechnology also will be discussed. These concerns include genetic trespass (the unintended transfer of genetic traits of biotechnology-derived plants into native species), the lack of a federal research agenda and funding that recognize and support organic practices, and the appropriate labeling of food products produced using biotechnology-derived plants, animals, or ingredients.
Session 1, Biotechnology-derived foods: Is frankenfood a myth or a reality?
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