[.ca] Origins of the Organic Agriculture Debate

A Thought Provoking Book - A review by John Purcell, Ph.D.:
Thomas DeGregori has written a thought-provoking book that explores the historical foundations of the fundamental views toward science that some advocates of organic agriculture harbor. In his book, "Origins of the Organic Agriculture Debate" (Iowa State Press, 2004), DeGregori asserts that 'vitalism', the eighteenth century belief in the mystical nature of life that "set it off from the non-living world" is at the core of the organic movement. A fundamental tenet of such beliefs is that these vital elements cannot be explained by science. DeGregori lays out how scientific advances in chemistry and biology have demonstrated that vitalism was just a form of mysticism that should hold no place in serious scientific circles. He maintains that still today, anti-science and anti-technology sentiments fuel the organic movement's disdain for modern agricultural methodologies. The author uses organic agriculture's view on fertilizers as one example of vitalism's link to current organic practices. DeGregori points out that the use of organic fertilizers are a necessary component in organic agriculture as only these molecules can deliver the 'life force' necessary to promote growth. Because of this belief, nitrogen based fertilizers are not allowed in organic agriculture. Obviously this runs counter to decades of practical experience that have clearly demonstrated that nitrogen based fertilizers are an extremely valuable tool for agricultural productivity that help address the massive food demands of a growing population. This is just one example cited by the author of how organic agriculture eschews modern, efficient agricultural practices for purely ideological reasons. DeGregori asserts that the rejection of modern science and technology lies at the heart of the organic movement's rejection of biotechnology as a tool for agriculture. His belief is that anti-modernists blame science and technology for many current environmental and social ills and see biotechnology as just the latest technology waiting to unleash its horror on the planet. The author stresses the irony of such a position when it is science and technology that have provided the advances necessary to keep a population of "six billion who are living longer, are better fed and are in better health than ever before". He clearly rejects the "romanticizing" of the past and lays out cogent arguments on how an unhealthy level of reverence for the past is problematic when it impacts social policy decisions. Thomas DeGregori has used an examination of the origins of the organic agriculture movement as a gateway into a discussion on the merits of using modern technology versus a retreat into the methods of the past. He lands squarely on the side of technological progress, arguing "modern science and technology gives us the opportunity, as never before, to create a better world for all".

A 211 page rant against organic agriculture:
This book makes for interesting reading for all of those interested in organic agriculture. Not so much as a thoughtful review of the pros and cons of organic agriculture, but rather to see the perspective from someone who appears to be vehemently opposed to organic agriculture. The main premise of the book is that organic agriculture is inherently anti-scientific. This obviously ignores decades of scientific research into organic agriculture, much of which has been published in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals. Some of the arguments made against organic agriculture are clearly false: Dr. DeGregori suggests that organic agriculture may not be able to feed the world. That may or may not be true, but even if it is true, that does not mean that there is no place for organic agriculture. Greenhouse tomatoes can't feed the world either. Does that mean that they shouldn't be produced? Unfortunately, as an economist, Dr. DeGregori clearly seems to lack an in-depth understanding of plant science, and as a result he sometimes quotes papers on plant science and physiology out of the proper context or misinterprets the true meaning of those papers. Overall, the book is thought-provoking, but would be much more convincing if it would not be so obviously biased (a bias Dr. DeGregori freely admits to). The book could be of real value to educators and students in the field of organic agriculture, but more as a starting point for discussions than as on objective overview of the debates surrounding organic agriculture. The title is misleading, since this book certainly does not look at both sides of organic agriculture. Therefore, the book is not really a debate about, but more a rant against organic agriculture.