1. Organic farmers avoid the use of chemicals and pesticides to grow food. Dennis T. Avery contends that the use of these products helps produce higher food yields. Do you believe that it is more important to reduce the use of chemicals or to increase food yields? Explain your reasoning.
2. Richard Schwartz uses statistics to argue that livestock agriculture production consumes tremendous amounts of resources, causes deforestation, and fouls the environment. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association cites statistics to show that there is no relationship between livestock grazing and deforestation and that beef production uses water and energy efficiently. Did either author’s use of statistics sway your opinion? Which author uses statistics to a greater advantage?
3. Susanne L. Huttner contends that genetically engineered foods should be produced. John B. Fagan maintains that the consumption of such foods could harm the human body. After...