In Defense of Technology

High yields, efficient harvesting, sanitary and rapid processing, high quality distribution and retailing - factors which any country should be proud of. However, for some strange reason these are the very factors that are coming under attack by a vociferous group of individuals who seem bent on destruction of American Food Technology as we know it today. The reasons for the screams of outrage hurled at this Technology escape logical analysis. In this country today we have the potential to be the best fed people in the history of the world with the products at our disposal. Food is now not only nutritious, but it is safe, convenient, of high quality, flavorful, and presented to the consumer at a cost, relative to earnings, which is competitive with any other country in the world at any other time in history, or the present. It is a gross injustice for consumers to have their confidence in the safety and nutritive value of their food supply destroyed without presenting them with all the facts. Perhaps it is necessary to present all the realities of nutrition to the consumer rather than simply to mention nutrients. Perhaps it is time for science and technology to present the facts of an overpopulated-underenergized world to the American consumers who take for granted the food supply at their disposal without an understanding of the technology it involves. It is ludicrous to believe in the natural way. A morally responsible usage of technology, not a profit-at-any-cost technology is the way to solve the hunger problems of the world. This information must be conveyed to the consuming public as a part of a nutrition education if we are to have a well fed and healthy nation without paranoia about its food supply.