Organic produce and meat typically is no better for you than conventional food when it comes to vitamin and nutrient content, although it does generally reduce exposure to pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a US study.
Organic farming is generally good for wildlife but does not necessarily have lower overall environmental impacts than conventional farming, a new analysis led by Oxford University scientists has shown.
Time for a meta-meta-analysis?
I think that organic farming is the best option of farming. It relies on green manure and strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. One of the city, totally relies on organic farming.
Studies comparing organic vs conventional – yield, nutrition, and even environmental impact – are premature until organic seed systems have been developed. Genetics impact all of these outcomes. And organic crop producers worldwide continue to rely on seed bred for conventional conditions – which are very different than organic conditions in cultural management, fertility, weed competition, etc. Or they rely on old OPs or heirlooms that haven’t been improved for agronomic challenges or human health. Yes, in some cases varieties developed for conventional work just fine in organic, but just fine is not optimal. Conventional has superior genetics in the sense that they have decades of breeding for their systems. For example, there isn’t a single plant breeder at public universities working on organic field corn. Alfalfa? Nope. Soy? Nope. Not a one for any of those crops…in wheat and a few veggies, but those are usually small side projects for the researchers. The playing field in terms of R&D – not only in seed but in many other areas – is simply not comparable. Give organic 20 years of well-funded and dedicated R&D and then do the comparisons.
That said, I think many organic proponents have done themselves a great disservice in making blanket based claims of superiority without having adequate studies…so I understand why some folks – like the writers and commentators at Real Clear Science – want to burst the fantasy bubble and want to do it with attitude.
I hope these reports get organic companies and supporters to invest in agricultural R&D, work more directly with public scientists, and stop bashing conventional/biotech and find their value through improving organic systems for sustainability and human health.