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Jacqueline Mendez
Prof. Alexander
English 112
6 February 2014
Annotated Bibliography
"A tipping point for GM Foods?" The Wilson Quarterly. 2008. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This article talks about genetically modified foods. Specifically rice and how china is
considering taking part in the distribution of this modified rice to its citizens. It is stated that
most of the developing world has rejected genetically modified foods. This unfortunately
excludes the Unites States as there are still GMO foods in our grocery stores for us to buy and
eat. China is a country which has invested a lot of money in the research of biosafety and GMO
foods, but even our EPA claims GMO is safe. The research done most of the time explores short
term, but we don't know what our bodies are absorbing into our blood stream, or if it could do
damage to us, or our babies in the future.
"The future of food." Foreign Policy 2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.
This article shows the responses of leading experts of environment and agriculture around
the world. I plan on using for its statistics. Although, some of this information is just predictions
of the future, it's useful due to the fact that the right people were asked these important questions.
These stats include peoples opinions, and knowledge of agriculture. This paper also includes
predictions which I agree and disagree with, and plan on mentioning and refuting in my paper.
As well as, stats from other countries, our use of Genetically modified foods, the human
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population and its growth, and peoples opinions on what to do about countries who are less
fortunate, and need help with their food production in order to be self-sustainable.
Huff, A. Ethan. Don't Believe the Lie: Organic Farming CAN Feed the World. 2012. Current
Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This article is about how organic farming is able to feed the world, which is unlike how I
have been told. It was actually said that sustainable agriculture and organic farming can take the
poorest of the poor out of poverty, which is an intriguing thought. This paper goes over the
proper diet of livestock, which today are being feed improperly for the purpose of mass
production, and trying to get as much product from one animal as possible. This is being done
without regards of the animals health, or those consuming the meat the animals produce. They
also mention food waste and our wasteful habits in general which are detrimental to those in
need, and add to trash dumps around the world.
"Milk of Human Kindness." NYTimes.com Video Collection. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This is a lighthearted video that I plan on using as a good example of sustainable
agriculture. A man and his cows are on a first name basis due to this man's respect towards his
cows for producing milk, and his income. He owns an organic dairy farm, and was actually once
a conventional farmer. He mentioned how much happier, and healthier his cows are no than
before. He has stopped medicating, and giving his cows antibiotics as they are not necessary now
that his cows are free roaming. It is also prohibited to use such things when raising organic cows
due to EPA regulations. His bottom line is: take care of the cows in a responsible and humane
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way (the way cows were meant to live), and they will do the rest. There is no need for abuse of
the animals or our technology.
"Mysterious Decline in Bee Population Creates Worry." World focus. 2010. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This video visits the bees - our pollinators and an essential part of agriculture. Without
pollinators there would be no agriculture. So I was very concerned with the fact that our bees are
in danger of disappearing, and we don't even know why. There have been numerous studies, and
I have heard rumors of the chemicals being used in conventional farming being at fault. Ive also
seen documentaries on bee research, and general human activity seems to be a big result of the
decrease in bee population.
Philpott, Tom. "Factory Farming Is Not the Only Way to Feed the World." Factory Farming.
2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This article presents evidence that refutes industrial agriculture as a way to feed the
world. It challenges the idea that organic farming doesn't yield as much food. The only reason
conventional farming would produce more would be due to the crops being genetically modified
to blossom in greater numbers. This of course is not healthy, and is what this article says we are
doing wrong: Mass production of the wrong stuff. It also ties some scientists who have been said
to deny the possibility of feeding everyone through organic methods, to some of the companies
which are growing conventionally, thus making them bias and incredible.

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Roberts L. Jack. "Organic Agriculture: Protecting Our Food Supply or Chasing Imaginary
Risks? 2012. Print. 27 Jan. 2014
This book talks about everything I need to know about sustainable agriculture. It talks
about our methods now, our methods before, and what we need to do to better our planet and
health today. It visits the harm of GMO, questions organic methods, and conventional methods.
The pros and cons of all these methods are also discussed, and examined. Our nutrition and
whether or not it's in danger is a repeated topic that is discussed, explained. In addition to all this
useful information, this book also discusses how foods should be labelled as organic,
conventional or genetically modified foods.
Roberts, Paul. "Farming for real." The Wilson Quarterly. 2009. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
This article challenges the idea that sustainable agriculture cannot feed the world. This is
something I've heard from environmentalist more than a few times, but have not read any proof
to back up their theories. There's only one way to find out, and I like the approach this article
takes as an alternative to our now dominating industrial farming. She pushes going local by using
our vote through consumerism, and farming at home by starting gardens. This article also visits
the obvious notion that not everything can grow everywhere, and mentions the absence of water
some places have that crops need to survive. In addition to this, it also introduces adapting
agriculture and urban architecture by combining skyscrapers and gardens. This is clever as it
could not only produce foods, but would also reduce city pollution, and help with global
warming, and our air quality.
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Shahan, Zachary. "Twenty Percent of Earth's Known Plant Species Are Threatened by Human
Activities." Detroit: Greenhaven Press. 2013. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.
This article stresses the importance of plants, and explains how they are necessary for
lifes survival. Although the endangered species are endangered due to general human activity, it
does get specific and mentions farming. The importance of plants is noted, and it is explained
that according to statistics, and growth of human activity in the United States and other
countries, plants will continue to decrease and become endangered or worse, extinct. They list
resources for readers to undergo their own research, and look up which plants specifically need
our help in order to survive. It also mentions what we can do to reduce the risk of losing more
plants, and conserving what the earth has to offer us now.
Shiva, Vandana. "Biotechnology and Agribusiness Create Cultural and Economic Devastation."
Detroit: Greenhaven Press. 2009. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
I plan on using this source for information on the relationship of economy, food and its
production. Shiva analyzes, and explains her observations and research about other countries
other than the United States which isn't facing a food shortage. She also has an entire paragraph
dedicated to water shortage which is also looked over in this country. This is a good resource for
me to understand what is going on in places other than my home country. She even questions
property rights, and globalization which may prove useful to me as far as suggesting a call to
action for my audience, and explaining to them that all land is their land and vice versa.
Tudorescu, Nicolae. Constantin, Zaharia. Ioana, Zaharia. "The importance of social and
institutional factors for facilitating and achieving sustainable agriculture." Geopolitics,
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History, and International Relations. 2009. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 27
Jan. 2014.
This article discusses what we are doing today, and what needs to change for there to be
sustainable agriculture in the United States. It also mentions Europe, and its agriculture methods.
This comparison helps me to look at yet another part of the world that can help us change for the
better, and maybe even evaluate what they could change to ameliorate their environment. This
paper is more focused on global agriculture, and what we are all doing wrong. Critiquing
ourselves is important when it comes to changing an entire way of doing something, I'd like to
use this paper as an example of things we need to evaluate in our country then the world.