Organic Food has never been about extra nutritional value for me. It's always been about what's *not* in it.

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This seems to be a false choice they're setting up. Organic doesn't have to be about selfishness; it can actually be altruistic. For every organic item you buy, there is that much less pesticide and herbicide going into the soil and groundwater somewhere.

The choice is more akin to recycling - you don't do it to save yourself money on trash pickups. People buying an organic tomato thinking it will make them healthier are probably misguided. But if everyone did it, we'd all probably be healthier.

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Unfortunately, organic does not mean "free from all pesticides and other potentially harmful substances." It just means that the pesticides and other potentially harmful substances used in organic farming are... well... organic.

It's also a little simplistic to suggest we'd definitely be better off if everyone bought organic. Realistically, the amount of land devoted to agriculture would need to increase substantially to provide enough organic produce to meet such demand. Farming is a significant environmental disruption, whether it's done organically or not.

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I haven't done a scientific study, but my own 'findings' is that a lot of organic fresh food just tastes better. This is especially true for meat/poultry and eggs. I don't buy organic all the time, but if I'm cooking something special I will go organic on a key ingrediant.

The potential health benfits are an afterthought.

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To expand on what has already been said, in addition to causing further environmental damage due to land use for organic crops, the fact is there is not enough arable land to support the globes food needs with organic crops. I have trouble justifying buying organic foods for this reason.

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I don't think it should be considered organic unless it grows by itself, with no help from humans. There is a little sarcasm there, just in case you missed it because your brain wasn't working as well due to your lack of fortified nutrients genetically engineered into your last helping of whatever organic stuff you just ate! :) Really though, I do enjoy a few organic things that I just haven't seen in the non-organic isle, so I can't be overly harsh.

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Isn't it ironic? Better living through chemicals, once again, rears it's ugly head. Studies have shown that many of the chemicals used as pesticides have adverse affects to the human body--causing premature puberty as just one example. While 100% organic may be unrealistic, we need to depend less on chemicals in all aspects of life. And the food we put in our mouths is the easiest way to accomplish this.

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I try very hard to buy my produce from local farmers. Sometimes it's organic, sometimes it's not. But it *always* tastes better than the stuff I get at the big grocery chains. We have a "farmer's market" near my house (it's acutally a small-ish grocery store) that has everything from fresh, locally grown produce to Amish pies and breads. It happens to be better for my wallet to shop there, as well. Last night, for example, I bought a pint of strawberries (picked that day) for $2.99 and they taste *incredible*. At the chain store a pint of strawberries (from California) cost $3.49 and they looked horrible (I was there to buy wine, something I can't get at the other store).

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Just look at the rates of cancer, birth defects and numerous other diseases effecting us and more importantly our children. Compare the increase in rates of these diseases and cross reference that with the growing use of pesticides, growth hormones and chemicals that have been becoming more widely used since the 1960's. I bet you find a correlation. After all, do you think these chemicals just disappear, we don't ingest them. There is a reason we don't wake up in the morning to a glass of windex, chased down by a shot of bug repelent to wash down a pill of anabolic steroids. Very unnatural things are being done to our meat, fruits and veges. It's effecting our health and it show in increased rates of health problems. Cancer, lukemia, autism, the list goes on and on. And remember, those in their 30's and up, grew up for the most part with natural organic products. So don't even think, "I turned out okay" is an answer to the question of how will all this effect us. You weren't exposed to it at the extremely high level it is at now. Our children are the ginea pigs. You decide what they eat. You decide to make them part of the experiment. How can you afford to take that chance?

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well I just have to think it is better for the environment not to use chemicals. man made chemicals. Of course I know that organics use their own form of fertlizers but they have to be "better"

I certainly believe grain fed animals taste better. that I am sure of.

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Nicotine is a natural insecticide, but I don't see anyone clamoring to get more of that in them (well, other than you smokers). There are lots of things in nature that are just as bad as the man made ones. I know it's hard to digest (no pun intended), but not every man made chemical is going to have ill effects, not every ag-chem company sits down and designs things that are going to hurt people on purpose, etc. I've worked on a farm, growing things many of you have eaten in one way or another, you would be surprised how un-bad most of the things that go on in a real farm and ranch are.

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