If you are wondering what is the difference between organic seeds and non-hybrid seeds you’ve come to the right place. Both seeds are not treated with any chemicals, however organic seeds are hybrid and genetically modified while non-hybrid seeds are not. Read on for a detailed explanation:

What are “non-hybrid” seeds: Non-hybrid seeds are open not manipulated in any way.  They have not been treated with any chemicals, come from inbred lines, or contain foreign genetics. Their plants produce seeds that are fertile and grow true-to-type seedlings. Non-hybrid seeds can easily be saved, stored, and planted come next growing season.

What are “organic” seeds: Unlike non-hybrid seeds organic seeds are hybrid and genetically modified. Their only difference from commercial hybrid seed is that they are not chemically treated to fend off diseases.

• Organic seeds are hybrid. Organic seeds are incessantly inbred, generally with one to four plants with specific characteristics are used to breed many. This inbreeding is done to produce seeds that germinate quickly, grow uniformly, produce fruit with long storage life, and to grow plants resistant to heat, cold, drought, flood, pests and diseases.

There are many problems with hybrids. Hybrid plants’ seeds either do not germinate or produce such off-type plants that they are unusable, weak, and look nothing like they are supposed to. Their lack of genetic diversity reduces their taste, nutritious value, and the ability for the crops to adapt to different growing conditions.

• Organic seeds are genetically modified: Seed companies insert foreign genes into plants so that they grow resistant to extreme environmental conditions, pests and diseases. The inserted genes are taken from organisms so technically genetic modification is classified as an “organic” practice.

Most organic crops are “Bt crops” unless otherwise stated. Bt is an extremely powerful insecticide once sprayed on crops to kill pests. Bt does not technically count as a chemical pesticide because it derives from the bacterium Baccilus Thuringienses (Bt).

Bioengineers transplant the genetic sequence that makes Bt toxic to insects into the genes of our food crops. As a result, farmers make higher profits by not having to purchase and spray insecticides while being able to ask higher prices for organic food.

There is high risk of allergic reaction to the genes of the various organisms that have been inserted in our food. Consumers are not aware of what they are eating because seed companies and farmers are not required to list the genetic ingredients of our food.

In addition, mixing genes and introducing them to random environmental conditions can create unknown and unpredictable combinations and reactions. Switching genes between organisms that were not naturally intended to mix could easily produce unintended proteins that cause serious and fatal allergic reactions.

There is also concern as to the method in which plants are genetically modified. Antibiotics are often used to manipulate new genetic traits into plants.  Eating these antibiotic properties could aid in the ineffectiveness of our antibiotic medications.