Five Controversial Crops: Analytical Discussion of Their Controversies

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Five Controversial Crops: Analytical Discussion of Their Controversies
Controversy Related to Maize
Source: (Aswell)
Introduction
Maize is one of the common food crops of the world; This plant is one of the core staple food crops of the world; in countries located in the Sub-Sahara, maize crop forms the most significant food crop of the region. This plant contains vital nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. The corn obtained from this plant is used to produce a variety of food items, such as porridge, pastes, and beers, or consumed in boiled or roasted form (PlantVillage). This crop has several natural and artificial varieties; according to detailed estimates, maize is available in more than 50 varieties (PlantVillage).
Description
Scientific name: The scientific name of this plant is Zea mays.
Origin
The maize plant originated in central Mexico millions of years ago but was domesticated very recently. According to safe estimates, people began using it domestically approximately 9000 years ago (Drury).
Characteristics
Social Importance
This is one of the most socially important crops in the world as collectively, with wheat and rice, it is responsible for the provision of 30% of daily calories to more than 4.5 billion people in the world. It is also an important source of animal feed (Shiferaw et al.).
Controversy
The core reason for controversy related to this food crop is the growing use of genetically modified varieties of maize as a food crop. Since 1994, the increase in the production of various forms of genetically modified varieties of maize has raised serious health-related concerns. Based on research studies, despite their benefits in terms of providing a higher yield, the long-term use of G.M. varieties of maize can cause serious health complications, including cancer; besides, these types of maize also produce harmful allergens. Moreover, G.M. maize is not labeled properly, and its production also disturbs the natural ecosystem by disrupting the natural process of pollination (Brown).
The Truth Behind the Controversy
G.M. maize is a better variety as it provides a much higher yield and is an insecticide and drought resistant. Conversely, the harms of G.M. maize are not supported by evidence-based research (Brown). Therefore, the use of G.M. maize is not a critical issue, as indicated by its growing consumption.
Different views of maize (PlantVillage)
Controversy Related to Soy
Soybean plant (Regina)
Introduction
The soybean plant is one of the commonest food crops in the world, as it is included in the top five food crops grown worldwide. It belongs to the legume family, and scientists believe that it is the cheapest source of vegetable protein and oil (Biswas). These grains contain a large number of useful nutrients; for instance, they have about 20.5% carbohydrates, 43.2% protein, 20.0% oils, 4.5% minerals, 3.7% fiber, and 8.1% water. Of its high oil content, it is regarded as the most important oilseed crop in the world (Biswas). The seeds of this plant are used to prepare several food products, including soymilk, infant formula, flour, and soy sauce. It is also used all over the world for the production of edible oil and Vanaspati ghee. Finally, this plant is also a raw source for industrial products (Biswas).
Description
Scientific name: the scientific name of the soybean plant is Glycine max.
Origin
The first evidence of soy plant came from Southeast Asia; however, this plant was cultivated as a crop in 1100 BC by the Chinese. From China, this plant spread across the world (Biswas). In the modern world, it is widely cultivated in America, China, Mexico, and Russia. Its total global cultivation area exceeds 90 million ha (Biswas).
Characteristics
Soybean plants grow in damp soil under tropical conditions; they grow as bushy annual herbs and bear tiny hair all over the body. At maturity, the plant is approximately 7 to 9 inches long with three to four nodes or unfolded leaflets (Ikisan). The stem is branched and contains alternate leaves; the seeds develop in pods within 35 to 45 days of flowering. Depending on the variety, seeds may have different colors, such as yellow, green, red, and black. The roots are nodulated, and nodules contain bacteria (Biswas).
Social Importance
Since soybean is widely used as a food crop, it holds immense social importance as a means of earning the livelihood of millions of people across the planet. Besides, it is a major source of food items for people, for people use its oil to prepare food items. Soybean is especially important for people of lower socioeconomic strata as it provides the least expensive edible oil; besides, consuming soybean products provides the best quality and affordable vegetable protein to people. In the same way, parts of this plant are used in industries to prepare a wide range of products of industrial importance; for the same reason, this plant has earned the title of “wonder plant” (Biswas).
Controversy
Soybean plants and their products are packed with healthy nutrients, which help maintain the body’s normal physiology. These healthy nutrients help the body lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar (Waverly Oaks). This useful food crop has been controversial due to its harmful impact on the human hormonal system, which can lead to serious health complications. This controversy stems from detecting the high content of isoflavones in soybean; this chemical resembles an important natural human hormone called estrogen. Thus, several critics argue that this chemical may affect human metabolism as the body can recognize it as estrogen. Consequently, its excessive consumption increases the chances of developing breast cancer, and this probability is equal in both males and females (Waverly Oaks).
The Truth Behind the Controversy
Despite the serious concerns of nutritionists and dietitians, the issues raised by scientific research still need credible research-based evidence. First of all, most of the research on the role of soybean in cancer development has been carried out using mice and rats. Therefore, the results are not wholly applicable to humans; the human body uses other metabolic mechanisms to metabolize soybean components. Moreover, according to the American Cancer Society, soybean consumption is not directly linked with cancer since most research has been conducted using isolated components (Waverly Oakes). Most importantly, research has suggested that pure forms of soybean also contain anti-cancer components. Thus, this controversy does not hold ground as scientific evidence is not strong enough to validate its carcinogenic nature.
Soybean seeds and products (source: Waverly Oaks)
Controversy Related to Tobacco
Tobacco crop (PlantVillage)
Introduction
The tobacco plant is a cash crop that is grown for its leaves; these leaves are used to produce various smoke-based drugs such as cigarettes, cigars, and others. Besides, it has been a significant part of magical and religious rituals in western and eastern countries. Tobacco is also used for the treatment of certain skin diseases and the treatment of bleeding gums. The recreational use of tobacco leaves also includes natural chewing (Herbal Safety). Tobacco is infamous for its ability to make users addicted to it; the core component of tobacco is nicotine, the main addictive substance found mostly in tobacco leaves. Despite its negative impact on human health, it is one of the most profitable commodities, and for the same reason, it is cultivated worldwide as a profitable cash crop (Herbal Safety). The use of tobacco leaves for recreational purposes goes way back to ancient human civilizations.
Description
Scientific name: Nicotiana tabacum
Origin
The introduction of tobacco to the modern world is attributed to Christopher Columbus, who got tobacco leaves as a gift from the Native Indians in 1492. However, the history of tobacco’s origin goes far beyond that; according to careful estimates, commercial cultivation of tobacco plants began in North America approximately 6000 years ago (The University of Dayton School of Law). However, Columbus’ discovery quickly introduced tobacco to the rest of the world.
Characteristics
Morphologically, a tobacco plant is a herb that grows either annually or perennially; a mature tobacco plant comprises a thick and hairy herbaceous stem. However, its leaves are disproportionately broad and grow oval. A mature tobacco plant attains a maximum height of 4 to 6 feet; its flowers are tubular and grow in clusters; they mostly appear as a cluster of pink tubular petals (PlantVillage b). Tobacco plants can grow in different forms of soil and under a wide range of temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 Celsius. Its seeds are very small, and it mostly grows from these seeds. This plant mostly grows once a year which means it is an annual herb (PlantVillage b). Commercial cultivation of this plant mostly involves manual sowing and reaping; however, in America and Canada, mechanical harvesting is also common (PlantVillage b). Since the tobacco plant originated in South America, it is also called Virginia tobacco.
Social Importance
Tobacco plant holds significant social importance as it is widely used for recreational and medicinal purpose across the globe. In many cultures, including American and Indian cultures, tobacco leaves are part of sacred rituals and spiritual activities. Its use as an antiseptic drug to treat skin and ear infection also reinforce its social significance across the globe; for instance, most European cultures believe that tobacco leaves have the ability to treat all forms of illnesses, and people deem it as a plant with universal healing properties (The University of Dayton School of Law). Additionally, commercial cultivation of tobacco crops is the best source of instant investment returns; for the same reason, its economic importance has out shadowed its harm to physical and mental health (PlantVillage b).
Controversy
The core controversy related to the cultivation of tobacco crops is its link with serious health issues; nicotine is an active ingredient of tobacco that makes people addicted to tobacco. Besides, tobacco smoke is also a potential cause of lung cancer, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke. In the same way, scientists have evidence that chewing tobacco is a cause of severe health problems, including mouth cancer and cancer of the respiratory tract (Herbal Safety). Economists and tobacco cultivators propose that tobacco cultivation is important for the national economy despite its harms, as its production and distribution bring foreign exchange to the country (Warner). This controversy related to the cultivation of tobacco crops has increased its products worldwide since people earn short-term profits via tobacco cultivation; consequently, people are more exposed to the hazards of tobacco.
The Truth Behind the Controversy
Despite tobacco cultivators’ claims that tobacco’s economic benefits are too significant to be ignored, the reality is different, as tobacco cultivation does not contribute much to the national economy. For instance, in the southeastern United States, tobacco cultivation provides jobs to only 1.6% of people living in six American states. Similarly, more than 50% of tobacco-producing ...