GMO Labeling Argument Essay

Much of the debate surrounding GMOs center around autonomy and conservation of biodiversity. Many of the benefits GMOs have provided are often clouded by the concerns many have regarding the future diversity and well being of species (including humans) with continued use of GMOs. What can be done to help resolve these problems. First step centers around developing policies that would mandate disclosure regarding foods that contain GMO products. The USDA has approved currently 18 different genetically modified crops (10 are cultivated in the U.S. of which 9 are used for food production). These crops include: corn, soybean, potato, papaya, squash canola, alfalfa, apple, and sugar beet. The question remains do consumers need to know what they

One measure would be to mandate the labeling of all GMO foods. Much of the legislature surrounding the labeling debate have been created at a state level with very limited success. For example in 2013, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law requiring GMO labeling by signing the Public Act No. 13-183 or an Act concerning Genetically Engineered foods on June 25, 2013. This law however had a stipulation: four other states with a combined population of 20 million first had to adopt a similar standard before Connecticut’s law will take effect. This has made implementation of the law difficult. So far only Vermont, Maine and Connecticut have passed legislation regulating GMO labeling. Overall 31 states have put forth legislation regarding GMO labeling with little success in being passed. The victory of Continetticuts law has been short lived as lobbyist and GMO related companies argue that mandatory labeling would be unnecessary and costly considering that GMOs have already been shown to be safe by the FDA. To counter Connecticut legislation "The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015," was created which would aimed to put in place federal standards for voluntary labeling of food containing GMO products. In the effort to maintain consumer autonomy, many food producers have utilized labeling to identify those products that contain no GMO