The NY State Legislature is considering legislation that
would require manufacturers and purveyors of food containing genetically
modified ingredients to say so on the label. The food industry has balked,
claiming that their genetically modified foods are just the same or better as
what nature has created. But recent concerns about a link between autism and
GMO foods have increased pressure on the Legislature to do something.
So there is a GMO labeling bill pending in Albany, and sometime this year it will come up for debate. In anticipation of this, lobbyists for the food industry have been hard at work, ensuring that even if the bill passes their clients will have some wiggle room.
Consider the wording of the labels required by the
legislation. Under the current draft, a label that says "Partially
produced with GE" or "Produced with GM" would be
sufficient.
Now, the General Electric company has spent many millions of
dollars on advertising to associate the letters "GE" with the good
things their company manufacturers. And most people, seeing the label
"Partially produced with GE" might assume that the food was produced
using some sort of solar energy or other advanced technology.
Likewise, the letters "GM" are indelibly linked in
the mind of most Americans to the car manufacturer which, for many years, was
America's largest company.
So how many consumers will understand that the labels that
say "Partially produced with GE" or "Produced with GM" are
supposed to warn them that the food they are purchasing or consuming contains
genetically modified ingredients that could cause irreparable harm?
Labels are important, especially labels that are intended to
help consumers avoid danger. The NY legislation should require that the complete
words "Produced with genetic engineering" appear prominently on the
label of every item or product grown or produced with the new technology.
- DAW
