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Re: [GWL]: Toxic topic

Greg Quinn wrote:

 > I have read with great satisfaction all of the posts of last
 > week concerning the organic vs. chemical conundrum. I am thrilled to
 > see so many colleagues anxious to learn more about the facts.

Greg,

Over the years in teaching horticulture I have found that some students 
would come into my class with preconceived ideas and no amount of 
providing information and objective discussion of the issues will change 
their minds.

In my experience, people who have extreme opinions/beliefs about 
religion, politics, sports, etc. usually based their conclusions on 
premises that are constructed on faith rather than observable scientific 
investigative principles. Changing a person's mind under this 
circumstance is almost impossible. There are examples of people people 
with closed minds representing both the organic and chemical debate. In 
such a case I have told the student to pass the course, they must 
understand the material, but not necessarily agree on the points of view 
necessary to discuss the information presented in class.

People who feel manufactured chemicals are the only course of action and 
advocate a zero kill solution present the same problem as someone on a 
quest to return to a simpler time of the farming practices of the 1800's 
and does so with a "born again" organic attitude.

Fortunately most students come to understand:
1. that there is a need to recycle our organic rural and urban wastes in 
a manner that does not pollute our environment.
2. a "zero kill" pest strategy only produces more resistant pest 
populations.
3. developing plant populations resistant to insects and diseases is the 
most cost effective long range strategy.
4. large moncultures increase the potential for a disaster from a new or 
more virulent disease or aggressive insect attack.
5. rotation of crops continues to be an effective solution to infected 
soils with diseases and insects attacking specific plant species.
6. monitoring insect reproduction cycles and selectively targeting 
affected plants can be more cost effective than spraying entire fields.
7. that biological controls are a tool that eliminates consumer concerns 
about harmful chemical residues on produce.
8. all organic or chemical agents must be used properly to prevent 
environmental contamination that adversely affects people, pets, and 
plants, both for the short term and also long range perspective.

My concern is that the tone on many posts seem to be advocating specific 
points of views and I would hope that everyone who is reporting 
information will take the time to develop balanced information obtain by 
seeking several reliable sources to support the information and 
conclusions represented in articles for consumption by the gardening public.

A discussion of the issues would benefit everyone if performed in a 
respectful manner.

Claude Sweet
San Diego, CA

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