The State of World Agriculture
Conclusion and References

Unfortunately, the domestication of crops and animals does not automatically indicate the infallibility of our food sources, and history is filled with food scares where animals and crops have carried disease to their unwary consumers. Also, some methods of farming, such as artificial fertilizer, have had a negative environmental impact, such as the seeping of chemicals into our underground water supplies. And now, moral questions have been drawn into the realm of agriculture, as the questionable practice of genetically modifying crops promises to help the food supply continue to meet the demand of the population, but at what cost? Ultimately, the development of agriculture is far from finished, and the possibility of food shortages in the future looms on the horizon.

References

"Animal Husbandry," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Dairy Farming," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Hog," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Plant Breeding," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Corn" Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Wheat" Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

"Agriculture" Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation.

Logsdon, Gene. At Nature’s Pace: Farming and the American Dream. New York: Pantheon Books, 1994.

Fox, Nicols. It Was Probably Something You Ate. New York: Penguin Books, 1999.

Mather, Robin. A Garden of Unearthly Delights. New York: Penguin Books, 1995.

Tannahill, Reay. Food in History. New York: Crown Publisher’s Inc, 1973.

Jacob, H.E. Six Thousand Years of Bread. New York: The Lyons Press, 1944 reprint 1997.

Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs, and Steel. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. 1997.

Smith, Bruce. The Emergence of Agriculture. New York: Scientific American Library, 1995.

Huke, R.E. and Huke, E.H. Rice: Then and Now International Rice Research Institute, 1990.

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