Arguments against labeling genetically modified products

Should genetically modified products be labeled? As the debate continues, the company Monsanto, alongside with Huffington Post writers: executive director of the Genetic Literacy Project, and professor Emeritus of Food Science and Human Nutrition claims the reasons as to why labeling is simply not needed. One of the best arguments from Monsanto, the biggest company of genetically modified seed insists the safety of genetically modified products from a myriad of scientific reports.

Companies are free to label genetically modified products with Non-GMO or Organic stickers, indicating Monsanto’s support for “voluntarily label food products noting certain attributes (e.g., organic) based on their customers’ preferences and provided labeling is truthful and not misleading.” Monsanto believes companies should not be force to label all genetically modified products because companies have the option to choose to label with Non-GMO or organic stickers on their products already, as a result mandate labeling will serve no purpose. According to Monsanto, the mandate of genetically modified products will only infuse “a confusing and costly patchwork of state laws.” Monsanto believes the requirement of labeling will creates huge turmoil for consumers shopping for food because consumers barely seen a label of genetically modified on products before, therefore, consumers may decide hasty to not purchase the product assuming it is unsafe to consume.

Another argument Monsanto makes regarding the myth, majority of consumers have is that genetically modified products are safe because they are not tested. Monsanto explains the testing of genetically modified products to ensure the well balance nutrients genetically modified products contains when being compared to other crops. Monsanto persists the testing that the genes in genetically modified products contain proteins that are tested to make sure there are no new food allergen included.

Huffington Post argues in favor of no labeling because of the outcomes labeling will bring for consumers and the food industry. Some of the possibilities that will happen if labeling was required includes an increase in food prices for both the consumers and the food industry and the organic industry getting more profit for themselves. According to Huffington Post, “even if Congress should pass labeling law, it would be up to courts to decide if there is a material difference in any particular food” meaning the process to mandate labeling will be arduous and may not get passed by the courts even if it was to be passed in Congress. In addition, most consumers’ definitions of genetically modified products are different, some consumers assume genetically modified products are simply harmful while some consumers assume genetically modified products are exactly the same as non-GMO products. Moreover, there are no scientific reports on the harmful effects from genetically modified products, but that doesn’t imply that there will be no harmful effects in the future, because no one can predict the future. However, as of now, there are obvious results genetically modified products bring such as the ability to feed the entire population at an affordable price. The outcomes outshine the unnecessary consequences that some advocates believes will happen in the future.