While placing GMO information on a food label may seem the thing to do in the interests of transparency, it could actually have the opposite effect. Products made from genetically engineering are not substantially different from their non-GMO counterparts in regard to nutrition, safety or taste. So why would we differentiate between two identical ingredients? It would only confuse the consumer. That’s not the purpose of nutritional labels.

Genetically-engineered crops are safe, reduce chemical use and contribute to the long-term profitability of farmers all over the world. No one has died, gotten sick or even caught as much as a sniffle from GE crops or products made from them. Dozens of people have died from consuming tainted organic crops.

Mandatory GMO labeling will drive up the cost of food. A study by the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University explains these costs.

There is already a responsible federal piece of legislation for labeling of products containing genetically-engineered ingredients. Under this legislation, FDA will mandate the labeling the GMO foods ingredients if the agency determines there is a health, safety or nutrition issue with the GMO technology. FDA will also establish standards for companies that want to voluntarily label their products for the absence-of or presence-of GMO food ingredients.

There is the possibility that many consumers will not purchase items with GMO labeling because they erroneously perceive the GMO language as a warning. (Refer to No. 1). Imagine a world without genetically engineered crops – food costs would soar, yields would plummet, input costs would rise and many farmers would have to resort to less-environmentally friendly methods of controlling pests or protecting their crops.