Should genetically modified foods require mandatory labeling laws?

GMOs

Should Labeling be Required for GMOs?

The debate over genetically modified foods continues to plague producers and consumers alike. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are foods that have been modified through bioengineering to possess certain characteristics. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or increased nutritional content (Whitman, 2000). The debate continues to rage as to whether these genetically altered foodstuffs are the answer to hunger in the coming years, or whether we are simply children playing with something that we do not have the capacity to understand. One of the biggest debates in the GMO issue is whether producers need to use labeling of foods that contain GMOs, or whether they should be treated as any other natural food source. This research will support the position that current regulatory practices concerning GMO crops are inadequate and that stricter labeling laws for GMOs needs to be enforced.

Before genetic engineering, plants were bred using standards cross-pollination techniques to produce improved strains. This method was time consuming, taking many generations to perfect. It was not very precise either (Whitman, 2000). There were many factors that could influence the outcome. With genetic engineering, the researcher can isolate the exact gene sequence responsible for the desired characteristic, such as drought tolerance, or high productivity (Whitman, 2000). Some of the current uses of genetically modifications being used are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, nutritional content, pharmaceuticals, edible vaccines, and phytoremdiation (Whitman, 2000). Phytoremediation is the practice of developing plants that can help to clean toxins from contaminated water and soil.

The UDSA is carefully monitoring the development of genetically modified foods by using a similar testing protocol that is used to approve drugs for the human market. As of 2000, there were over 40 plant species that were approved for commercial distribution in the United States (Whitman, 2000). As the population of the world continues to grow, so does the interest in genetically modified foods as a potential solution. However, there are those that do not agree.

Support for Labeling Laws

To take sides on the safety issue or the potential long-term affects would be difficult. There are studies that claim that many GMO foods are safe for the consumer. However, one must consider the source of the information and the credibility of the research methods. It can be assumed that any GMO that is currently on the market has been tested and meets USDA requirements for human consumption. However, this is not enough for many consumers. In Europe, the introduction of GMO foods met with a greater resistance than it did in the United States (WHO, 2009).

Consumers understand that GMOP foods have been tested and are deemed to be safe. However, they still question the lack of research regarding the potential long-term effects. GMOs have not been on the market long enough to make claims as to the potential long-term effects of them on humans or on the environment. These public concerns have had a significant impact on the marketing of GMOs in Europe (WHO, 2009). Concerns were so fervent that it led to a ban on the approval of any new GMO products until further until better risk assessment techniques have been developed for them.

GMOs were advertised as the "cure" for supplying humanitarian relief to impoverished parts of the world. However, governments in these countries have placed a ban on the receipt of commodities that use GMOs. In the end, it is the consumer that will ultimately decide the fate of GMOs and their place in the market. The current position of the World Healthy Organization concerning GMOs is that there is not clear winner or loser in the battle over GMOs. They are critical over the current methods used to assess risks, calling for uniform methods and controls to help assess the real and perceived risks associated with GMO food crops (WHO, 2009).

Concerns over GMOs have led to the notion that the consumers have a right to be informed when they are purchasing crops that are GMOs. Currently, there are no specific labeling requirements for GMO crops in the U.S., but in Europe, any food containing a GMO must be labeled as such (Ng, 2008). In addition, the UK and other EU countries are urging others to follow in their requirements to label foods that contain GMOs (Ng, 2008). They feel that it should be up to the consumer to decide. In the U.S., GMO producers have fervently opposed labeling requirements, maintaining that it would give those promoting non-GMO crops and unfair advantage, similar to the effect of organic labeling (Raab & Grobe, 2003). GMO producers also feel that this would give consumers the impression that GMOs are unhealthy or unsafe and that non-GMO crops are preferred (Raab & Grobe, 2003).

Valid scientific evidence is lacking as to whether GMOs are healthy or unhealthy in the long run. However, support is building for the position that regardless of the outcome, consumers have the right to know and to make an informed decision. Producers in the U.S. have placed pressure on Europe to withdraw their requirements for the labeling of GMO foods, as they claim that this attitude towards GMO foods will influence decisions in the U.S. (Raab & Grobe, 2003). However, so far, these challenges have been met with resistance and labeling practices continue to spread.

On a national level, the battle still rages, but on an international level, the scales seem to tip towards the pro-labeling side and the right of the consumer to make an informed decision regarding the foods that they eat. In the end, it is the consumer that will decide, regardless of what the scientific evidence eventually yields. This research supports the thesis that current regulatory practices concerning GMO crops are inadequate and that stricter labeling laws for GMOs needs to be enforced.