Is the organic food movement the most anti-science social movement out there?

[Tuberski]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zqe4ZV9LDs

Won't embed.

ACK!

[DanS]

2. There seem to be many adverse human (and ecological generally) conditions linked to the use of pesticides.

On what do you base this opinion?

[Az]

I don't think that organic food is a really social movement, per se, and its market power is really exaggerated by confusing people who buy organic on principle and people who buy organic by showing less preference to price, or being influenced by branding. (The retail market warp ).

YSMV, though.

[Fake Boris]

I won.

How so, you bet against your DL?

[Ben Kenobi]

I would say "no" to the question in the thread title, because I think that e.g. Creationists are more anti-science. I would say "yes" to the question in the poll.

I'd say yes. Creationists by the whole believe in the big bang.

Organic food is the biggest scam ever behind only AGW. I used to work for an organic food store and it was breathtaking how many sales you got by simply slapping on an 'organic happy planet label'.

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't think that organic food is a really social movement

I don't know how it is in Israel, but it sure is here.

[Ben Kenobi]

Economics is the real most anti-science social movement.

No wonder a Commie hates economics.

[Arrian]

I buy organic milk, because it's ultra pasteurized and therefore keeps longer. That's about it.

-Arrian

[Dinner]

Gribbler = Drake's DL?

[giblets]

DAMN how did you guess???

Great detective work Oerdin.

Should I feel flattered or insulted? I'm leaning towards insulted.

[Drake Tungsten]

Why would anyone care about what Oerdin thinks about anything?

[ricketyclik]

Originally Posted by ricketyclik
2. There seem to be many adverse human (and ecological generally) conditions linked to the use of pesticides.

On what do you base this opinion?

30 years of reading scientific findings to that effect (usually in the form of statistical links, which are hard to prove because exposure to the compounds can't be isolated from all other possible causes) and commons sense: Pesticide = poison for pests. Pests = life. Pesticides = poison for life.

Yes I know they're specifically designed to target biological mechanisms that don't occur in humans (at least when they're specifically marketed for use with our food production) but the fact is that even today not all of the metabolic pathways of a human being are known. And there are plenty of examples of chemical compounds having unforeseen side effects after they've been used in vast quantities around the globe.

Also, exposure tests are based on acute exposure to rats and other animals extrapolated out to chronic exposure for humans. Not the most accurate of tests one would think.

And a further point - the tests are conducted by the companies that stand to make billions from the sale of the substances. Do you trust their results?

There are numerous conditions, especially immune-related (eg asthma and food allergies/sensitivities) that are on the rise amongst the general population, and not just in the elderly.

However don't misunderstand me - I'm fully cognisant of the fact that pesticides and fertilizers have enabled a huge jump in (human) food production, in turn enabling the continued increase in human population. And that's gotta be good, right?

[Drake Tungsten]

I assume you won't eat chocolate, since it's poisonous to dogs and cats. Chocolate = poison for pets. Pets = life. Chocolate = poison for life.

[Japher]

Yes I know they're specifically designed to target biological mechanisms that don't occur in humans (at least when they're specifically marketed for use with our food production) but the fact is that even today not all of the metabolic pathways of a human being are known. And there are plenty of examples of chemical compounds having unforeseen side effects after they've been used in vast quantities around the globe.

Also, exposure tests are based on acute exposure to rats and other animals extrapolated out to chronic exposure for humans. Not the most accurate of tests one would think.

So you are saying the organic pesticides are fine? Tested by a third party on people while monitoring all the unknown metabolic pathways? Heck, some of the "organic" pesta/herbacides are actually used as poisons for other animals.

[DaShi]

Why would anyone care about what Oerdin thinks about anything?

I do. This place would be a lot more boring without him.