Saturday, September 15, 2012

Require labeling of GMO foods in California: the nation will follow ... By gimleteye

Do you think it is important to know what is in the food you eat? The question gets to the heart of modern health in a post industrial society where tens of thousands of loosely regulated chemicals enter the environment through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the foods we eat.

This issue is coming to the forefront in California where Proposition 37 proposes a requirement to label GMO foods: that is to say foods incorporating genetically modified organisms. GMO chemical companies like Monsanto and DuPont are spending millions to defeat the ballot measure in November. They are afraid that a market as large as California will lead to national standards.

Big Ag and multi national food producers who are tip toeing into organic food products and markets also strongly oppose the measure.

But consumers have a right to know. When genetically modified foods began appearing on the plate decades ago, opponents called them 'Frankenfoods', summoning the image of misguided scientists wildly tampering with creation. Turns out there are no Franensteins lurching about, but the critics were not far off.

What we know now is that the law of unintended or disregarded consequences does apply to GMO benefits, promoted as market efficient products that deliver cheaper foods to consumers. Although billions in profits have benefited companies like Monsanto, as secretive as they are paranoid of government regulation, we are learning more and more that we know less and less about the interaction of man made chemicals in the environment we depend on for life.

For example, the sharp increases in rates of developmental disabilities in children in the industrialized world points in the direction of environmental factors influencing the clockspring of life. Although the science isn't completely clear, consumers have the righ to know what's in the food we eat, especially where it has been tampered with by GMO.

Big chemical companies have invested heavily in the anti-regulation theme of the GOP Tea Party extremists. But even Republicans should care enough about what is affecting the sanctity of human life, through our air, water, and food. The right to know, like government in the sunshine, just makes sense. In November, California voters could help the nation by supporting Proposition 37.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Where's Genius?? With Ana Sol Aliegro?