To Label or Not to Label

Should US foods be labeled as to whether they contain GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been in our food supply for years now, yet US consumers have no sure way of knowing whether the food they buy contains genetically modified organisms . Yes they could research every candy bar or cracker that they buy but that’s completely unrealistic. Right now there is a big push in the United States of America to follow in the footsteps of other nations including all the European Union nations, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand to require mandatory labeling of foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Some people may ask, what’s the big deal? GMOs aren’t bad for you. But do they really know that? GMOs have not been safely tested on humans yet, and the FDA does not require new GMO products to be tested before being released to the public, unlike other drugs and food additives. Companies don’t even have to let the FDA know that their food contains genetically engineered ingredients. The USA is the biggest producer of GMOs right now with 88 million acres of genetically modified crops planted in 2001, and over 70 per cent of the food in our grocery stores contains GMOs. Yet there is still no way to know whether or not you are consuming genetically modified ingredients. The labeling debate also brings up trade issues between the countries that require labeling and the countries that don’t.

Looking at the other side of the issue, labeling is incredibly expensive. A few ideas to address that have been to pass a labeling tax or simply make the companies pay for it themselves. Another suggestion is to allow voluntary labeling where companies can label if they want to and give consumers a choice on some products, but it is highly unlikely that any companies will choose to do so, with the high cost. Another criticism is that some companies are afraid that it will cause unnecessary alarm and delay advances in biotechnology, although to those opposed to GMOs in the first place that could also be considered a pro.

In the end the only con to GMO labeling is the cost, and although that is a big deal for the companies and our economy, it is far more important to know what we are putting in our bodies and giving to our children. Genetically Modified Organisms should be labeled and as soon as possible.

Cites

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/GMO+uncertainty+means+more+testing.-a096696171

www.thecampaigne.org

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/seminar/2004/GMevents/NH/Debate.html

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