Washington voters made the right decision in rejecting the genetically modified food-labeling bill, writes Maxx Chatsko, a bioprocess engineer and biotechnology reporter. The bill was poorly written and would have required a large, conspicuous label, creating the perception that GMOs are somehow harmful although there is no scientific evidence that GMOs cause harm to humans or the environment.
If a labeling law were to exist, it should be at a national level because labels state-by-state “would create a patchwork of different labels that would cause confusion and add costs for consumers.” If consumers do want to steer clear of GMOs, they can rely on the “United States Department of Agriculture certified organic” label, which farmers must go through a rigorous certification process to acquire. Labeling GMOs would be akin to shouting “fire” in a crowded theater. “It may not be true, but people aren’t going to stick around to find out.”
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Read the full, original story here: Why Voters in Washington Are Right About GMO Labeling
