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To: Colvin

No, I am oversimplifying nothing. The definition of “organic” is any chemical compound made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen covalently bonded to each other to form molecules. By definition, MOST synthetically and biologically produced compounds ARE organic.

Many many people make the mistake of using the word “organic” to mean “natural”, i.e. produced without the use of pesticides and fertilizers that were made by processes occurring outside of a biological system. Since chemical bond formation is identical whether it takes place in a living organism or a laboratory flask, to me, the distinction is rather artificial. You’re much better off looking at the actual safety profile of the chemical in question, regardless of its “natural” or “unnatural” origin. The most toxic chemicals known to exist are produced by living organisms.

To turn around your contention that pointing out actual definitions is somehow the same as suggesting that people use organophosphates to flavor their chili, are YOU suggesting that people throw deadly nightshade berries in their fruit salad, and use powdered ricin instead of table salt? Those are, after all, natural products of biosynthesis.


36 posted on 06/20/2009 6:53:23 AM PDT by exDemMom (Now that I've finally accepted that I'm living a bad hair life, I'm more at peace with the world.)
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To: exDemMom
I looked up Websters definition, and now I understand your Argument.
I thought this was a post about FOOD (See Websters Definition 1.b.), Whereas you thought it was about CHEMICALS (Websters Definition 2.a)...
If you were an Organic Farmer, like I am, you would be more likely to be thinking along the lines of 1.b.
The USDA has extensive regulations in regards to what THEY define as Organic, and there are many hoops I have to jump through in order to get certified. If I was to argue that toxic Insecticides should be fine because they contain a piece of carbon in their makeup, I wouldnt pass their test.
37 posted on 06/23/2009 3:57:33 PM PDT by Colvin (Harry Reid is a sap sucking idiot.)
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