Answer to Critical Thinking Activity - Chapter 29

1. Because it requires 20 times or more of plant protein to produce one kilogram of beef protein. It would be much better for humans to eat the corn. However, there is ranch land which is best suited to grazing, not farming. The use of such land, if cared for properly, could produce ecologically sound beef. The problem is that rarely is overgrazing and other misuses of the land prevented.

2. Yes. Corn is low in protein, only about 9.5% as compared to soybeans at 38%. Also, corn is deficient in two essential amino acids, and in niacin, a B-vitamin. Niacin deficiency results in pellagra, which causes severe dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental derangement. These deficiencies can be avoided by eating beans and other vegetables with the corn.

3. Yes, and no. It might be better to eat the corn we brew into ethanol. It takes a whole acre of corn to produce just 300 gallons. However, we must have fuel for transportation and, at present, there is no alternate mode of transportation in sight. Gas is an important to us today as was hay for our horses in days gone bye. And, corn is renewable, petroleum is not.

4. The greatest use of corn is for animal feed. And yes, we definitely should do something about it. The production of meat in this way is too ecologically expensive. We must educate the public that corn is a good food, that they should eat it instead of animals, and that grass-fed beef tastes great! At least, I think it does. I'll take a grass-fed steak over corn-fed any day.