(aka, labeling of genetically engineered foods)
I believe in science. I believe it’s not just our right, but our duty to use our scientific knowledge to improve our lives. And that includes our food.
There’s nothing inherently dangerous about genetically engineered foods. It’s just DNA, and it’s everywhere. Sure, mistakes will be made. But that’s true even of non-genetically engineered foods. Off the top of my head, we used to think margarine was good, but then we discovered trans fats. Artificial sweeters have been controversial for decades. And even though it’s not a food, certain non-stick cookware were later found to be toxic.
Mistakes will be made with or without genetic engineering. What people really want is a label on anything and everything we used science on. But that’s literally fear of science.
People in the labeling camp say it’s about having the “right to know” so that people can “make an informed decision”. But that argument is entirely disingenuous. Why is genetic engineering so much scarier than pesticides? One is just DNA. The other is literally poison applied to our foods.
Besides, people already have more than enough information to make an informed decision. I can already walk into a supermarket and pick out non-genetically engineered foods. Companies are starting to label their foods as non-genetically engineered. USDA Certified Organic already excludes genetic engineering. And organizations like the Non-GMO Project exist and independently certify non-genetically engineered foods.
I’ll admit, there are plenty of nuanced viewpoints on both sides. There’s an argument that goes “genetically engineered foods are safe and labels are useless, but we’ll label them anyway as a show of good faith”. And I can accept that argument. But the “debate” on Initiative 522 has turned into a shouting match between “fear of DNA” and “evil corporations”. And if I have to pick a side, I’m voting no on 522. For science.