Meeting the demand for organic products has become more difficult recently, due to the cross-contamination of genetically engineered crops.
Organic farmers are investing a lot more time in contamination testing because of the increase in genetically modified organism crops. If the organic crops contain a genetically engineered component, they can no longer be sold as organic.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture defines genetic engineering as improvements done to plants and animals for human benefit.
"Modern techniques now enable scientists to move genes, and therefore desirable traits, in ways they could not before, and with greater ease and precision," said Nicole Waldron, the assistant director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
There is no consistent definition of organic foods, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a new rule last year that will take effect October 22, defining and regulating organic crops. Generally, organic foods are pesticide, chemical and GMO free.
The Gentle Strength Cooperative, on the corner of University Drive and Ash Avenue, buys their products from a California distributor, Albert's Organic.
"In order to be organic, they must be certified by the state," said Maggie Ryan, a member of the Gentle Strength Cooperative. "We buy local produce and require the growers to be organic. It's all based on trust and we know the growers personally."
Even though there is a standard 200 yards required around an organic field in order to prevent contamination, these fields are still experiencing an influence from the genetically engineered crops, Ryan said.
"We've been hearing about farmers who grow organic crops nowhere near genetically engineered crops and still turning up with a G.E (genetically engineered) component," Ryan said.
The fear of organic foods becoming extinct is not realistic to an associate professor at ASU East's Morisson School of Agribusiness and Resource Management.
"I don't believe they will be eliminated if farmers keep a good stock of organic seeds," Moshe Raccach said.
Raccach also thinks people farming genetically engineered crops will come up with a system to make the pollen inactive.
The demand for organic products is also increasing, which helps to force the market to stay alive.
"There are a lot of claims that organic foods are healthier and reasons why consumers are going toward organic, because organic products have no pesticides," Raccach said. "But on the other hand lots of genetically engineered crops, such as cotton, don't use pesticides."
Although Raccach thinks that there is not enough information to determine the quality of organic foods versus the quality of genetically engineered foods, Ryan believes organic foods are better for the population.
"It's definitely better for you and for the environment," Ryan said. "If for nothing else, then to lessen water pollution from chemicals used on other crops."
Reach the reporter at emily.murphy@asu.edu.
