The reasons for the current problems inherent in modern agriculture and the statement "We are feeding ourselves at the expense of our children" overlap. The reading entitled "Can the Growing Human Population Feed Itself" discusses the issues concerning agriculture and the impact of future food supply on people in years to come.

During the next half of the century demographers project that, the world's population will double from 5.3 billion people in 1990 to over 10 billion by the year 2050. This large amount of growth is definitely going to have an effect on agriculture. In order to feed the growing population, farmers must strengthen agricultural practices even though they cause ecological damage. It is said that our natural resources will collapse under the weight of future demand. Many economists and agricultural scientists (optimists) feel that the earth can produce more than enough food for the expected population of over 10 billion in...