Environmental safety, effects on health, yield productivity, nutritional benefits, economic impacts, funding and support--all of these are issues associated with the practice of biotech and organic. But what if we talk about another issue? The impact of these agricultural practices on the socio-cultural values of a society. Is it true that societies dependent on biotechnology are more complacent, have a notion of abundance and security, are more wasteful and more of a welfare society rather than a proactive one? And is it true that those practicing organic are stubborn and not able to adapt to new innovations but are more hardworking, are good stewards of natural resources, and are more content with what can be produced? Is there a sociological or anthropological explanation for this? and do we even take "sustainable values" into consideration when we practice and promote a certain agricultural system?
I would say economic rather than socio-cultural, at least in the poorer parts of the world, where labour is more accessible than finance. Inorganic fertilizers as well as GM seeds are well beyond the means of smallholder farmers, who only need to know more about organic techniques so that they may practise them properly. Unfortunately, extension officers and academic institutions, not to mention the political bureaucracy, are too firmly focused on the expensive alternatives, including mechanization.
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