Growing Population vs Conserving Biodiversity

Every second 5 people are born and 2 people die, a net gain of 3 people. At this rate, the world population will double every 40 years and would be 12 billion in 40 years, 24 billion in 80 years, and more than 48 billion in 120 years (2). How is this population being feed, or will be feed in the future? According to USDA slaughter stats in 2008, the following number of animals were killed to supply the growing population with food: Cattles: 35,507,500. Pigs: 116,558,900. Chickens: 9,075,261,000. Layer hens: 69,683,000. Broiler chickens: 9,005,578,000. Turkeys: 271,245,000 (3). Are there any benefits obtain on relying on a few highly productive livestock?

Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. While Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment. What is the distinctions between the two? According to a science blog, the main distinctions are between a system that tends toward domination and one that strives for harmony; between that which seeks to specialize and that which promotes diversity; between promoting competition and seeking community and cooperation; and between that which is defined by values of speed, quantity, and profit and that defined by values of permanence, quality, and beauty (4). From the following image we see the major difference in Sustainable and Industrial agriculture and also proves that Sustainable Agriculture is much more convenient then Industrial Agriculture. 

Genetically Modification is is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Examples of genetically modified items are: Soybeans, corn, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and rice. Rice is genetically modified to contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits and pigs have been genetically modified with the aim of producing human proteins that are useful, generally as medicines. The gene transfer process is typically very inefficient, and cloning is seen as another way of propagating the GM animal (5).  The Cattle is genetically modified to produce high-protein milk ideal for the cheese industry are created in New Zealand. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? In resistant rape plants the advantage is that the farmer can grow a larger crop because it is easier to fight pests, while the disadvantage is that genes from the genetically modified rape crop could be transferred to the pests. The pests then become resistant to the crop spray and the crop spraying becomes useless. The advantage of long lasting tomatoes is that because the GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer they can be allowed to ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a better tasting tomato. Disadvantages of this is; scientists today can genetically modify tomatoes without inserting genes for antibiotic resistance. However the first genetically modified tomatoes contained genes that made them resistant to antibiotics. Doctors and vets use antibiotics to fight infections. These genes spread to animals and people, doctors would have difficulties fighting infectious diseases (6). 


The agriculture industry is able to keep up with the rapid growth of the global human population, although with the help of Industrial Agriculture, which may lead to many issues. Genetically modified foods can be very dangerous and cause many health problems. In addition to the health issues that it may cause it, there are also many disadvantages which are mentioned previously. In the following video it suggest that by using bio-technology would be a sustainable solution to feeding the mass population. 

Work Cited:

1. "Define:Genetic Diversity - Google Search." Google. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. <http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&biw=1215&bih=684&defl=en&q=define:Genetic diversity&sa=X&ei=tPgsTcLqB474sAOej_2OBg&ved=0CBgQkAE>.
2. "World Population Facts." Did You Know? Web. 11 Jan. 2011. <http://didyouknow.org/population/>.
3. “USDA's Official Number of Animals Killed for Food." Animal Liberation Front. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. <http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Practical/FactoryFarm/USDAnumbers.htm>.
4. "Industrial Agriculture v. Sustainable Agriculture : The World's Fair." ScienceBlogs. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2009/05/industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php>.
5. "CGS : Background: Cloned and Genetically Modified Animals." CGS : Center for Genetics and Society. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=386>.
6. "4 Examples of Genetically Modified Crops." Bionet - New Discoveries in Life Sciences - Explore the Science and Debate the Issues. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/ff_cont3.htm>.

   
   
   

   Comments: 

   Claudia's Blog
   Anker's Blog