Environmental Outlook: Labels for Genetically Modified Foods
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-01-03/environmental-outlook-labels-genetically-modified-foods
In 1992 the FDA ruled against requiring labels for genetically engineered foods. Currently about 90% of the U.S. soybean crop and almost 75% of U.S. corn is grown from genetically modified seed, and it’s estimated that more than half the foods in grocery stores today contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered. Biotech companies and grocery manufacturers say genetically modified food is safe to eat and not different from conventional products in any measurable way. However, some believe consumers should be able to more easily avoid genetically modified foods if they so choose and are pushing for mandatory labels on foods with genetically modified ingredients. Join us for a discussion on the pros and cons of mandatory labels for genetically modified foods.
Guests
Thomas Redick
Global Environmental Ethics Counsel
Gardiner Harris
science reporter for The New York Times and author of the mystery novel "Hazard."
Gary Hirshberg
president, Stonyfield Farm, Inc
Program Highlights
The U.S. is the world's leader in genetically engineered crop production. Genetic modifications can boost herbicide tolerance, resistance to insects, and in some cases, add nutritional value. Twenty years ago, the FDA ruled that genetically modified food did not require labels, but some say this ruling hurts consumers who would prefer to avoid eating food with genetically modified ingredients.
The FDA's Rationale
The FDA's decision not to require labeling genetically modified foods 20 years ago basically comes from the mentality that food should be labeled according to what comes out of the process - not the process itself. FDA officials didn't believe that genetically modified food was any different from other existing forms of hybridization. According to Gardiner Harris, the U.S. gets more than 80 percent of its food from abroad. "The FDA inspects one in one million pounds of seafood coming into this country," Harris said. "They are entirely unable to police this global food supply, so it would be very difficult for them to police the process that goes into every single food coming into this country," he said.
Why Is Labeling Important?
Although the FDA couldn't possibly keep up with monitoring a significant portion of food imports, Gary Hirshberg believes that labeling is important for several
reasons. Consumers want to know, and have a right to know, the origins of their food and how it has been processed, Hirshberg said. Further, in most other parts of the world, and most of our trading partners, already require labeling. Hirshberg also believes that the common use of genetically engineered crops has resulted in some serious detriments to our food supply. More (and more potent) chemicals are necessary because the primary trait that has been developed in genetically modified corn is for herbicide tolerance, which allows farmers to use much more if it. In turn, weeds have become more resistant, which has led to farmers needing to use stronger herbicides known as defoliants, which Hirshberg said can be very toxic to humans.
Other Implications Of Particular Food Labeling
Requiring all genetically modified food to be labeled as such would inevitably drive up food costs, according to Thomas Redick. Companies would have to change the labels on their food, and some would voluntarily source non-genetically modified ingredients to put on their labels, which would drive the cost of non-genetically
modified crops up because of greater demand. "That's certainly the case in any nations that have implemented labeling," Redick said. But Gardiner Harris thinks that even with the potential negative outcomes for consumers that Redick said this kind of labeling might bring about, the public is very concerned about its food sources. "There is an enormous focus on food and concern about it," Harris said. "The industry has done an absolutely miserable job when it comes to GMO because the industry really has promised that genetically modifying foods will bring all sorts of benefits to consumers. When, in fact, nearly all of the genetic modification, up to this point, has been to the benefit of processors," Harris said.
Science On Both Sides
"I think in 2012, we ought to have the humility to recognize that we don't know it all, that as we manipulate the technologies, which ideally will have long-term benefits to feed the 9.2 billion people...consumers have gotta have the ability to choose whether to be a part of this system or not," Hirshberg said. Redick disagrees. "It's clear that we'll probably have a mix of sustainable organics, sustainable bio techs, sustainable nano whatever that's going to be in the future agricultural system. And I don't see any place for the government putting labels on any of that if the voluntary system is providing consumers what they want," Redick said.
You can read the full transcript here.
Comments
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Thank you for doing this show, Diane -- looking forward to it.
Re the image and the caption that appears on the previous page: Yes, the soybeans will have a different fatty acid composition, but according to a conversation I had with a Monsanto representative months ago, the beans will be Roundup Ready, meaning that we'll have yet another crop resistant to spraying with the herbicide, glyphosate, that now shows up in rain and rivers in the Mississippi River watershed. According to Paul Capel, U.S. Geological Survey chemist, "we know very little about its long term effects to the environment."
As a registered dietitian, I can assure you the new beans are not the answer to society's dietary ills.
Using more agro-ecological farming methods that protect the integrity of our soil, water and biodiversity is key to public health.
I'm afraid consumers are losing our freedom to choose non-GMO foods for our families.
Thank you for discussing this most important topic on your program.
Sincerely,
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
Food Sleuth Radio
Columbia, MO
Diane, thank you for discussing this topic on your show.
I find it interesting companies using GMOs claim it's perfectly safe and yet are fighting against labeling food as such. As a mom, I want to know what is in the food I buy for my child. Thanks to the internet and documentaries shown on Netflix we are no longer forced to believe the claims of safety made by the companies who produce the products in question.
Sincerely,
Erica Hoffman
St. Louis MO
Presidents, including Obama, have issued many Executive Orders for many, many things.
Why not ask Obama issue a EO requiring labeling so that consumers can make an informed choice?
Now that would be change worth waiting for!
Where I personally think that it's not an issue to eat GMO food after all a protein whether created by a natural process or in a lab is still the same protein. That being said allowing people to make informed decisions is (almost) never a bad idea. The only negative side is that the anti-GMO set can and most likely will use non scientific conjecture to demonize the labeled foods. But we are a free country so the fear mongers need to be given a voice. Label the food, information is a good thing.
I would be grateful if your experts could explain in details the concerns abut GM foods. What is the diffference, other than speed, from hybrids which have been around since the early 19th century? Why are so many people afriad of them?
I have two children with severe food (diary) allergies and have been concerned that genetically modified foods may contain some allergens that we are unable to identify. Is that a realistic risk?
What else can we expect from a fascist society but secrecy?
http://www.ghorganics.com/GM%20food%20can%20cause%20cancer.htm
You should educate yourself...
http://www.ghorganics.com/GM%20food%20can%20cause%20cancer.htm
I am fine with eating gmo foods - for now. My concern is that the clients of gmo foods have no idea they are eating gmo and could not therefore track an illness back to that factor. People have a right to know if their food has been modified because of a history of products coming out that were thought to be safe but later proved highly toxic for example: thalidomide, asbestos, and lindane (used to dust crops and treat scabies). For the future, we may need this information.
Can you also discuss genetically modified crops jumping into farmers fields who are not using GMO crops? As in the case of the canola farmer Percy Schmeiserr in Canada who beat Monsanto in a court battle in just such a case http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcDQcfO0oe4
Canadian Percy Schmeiser vs Monsanto - Part 1 - Democracy NOW!
www.youtube.com
Democracy NOW! - DN! Gathered here in Bonn this week are some 80 Right Livelihoo...(tharr be more)
If the EU and other trading partners require labeling for GMOs, does this mean that US foods containing GMOs and exported to these countries are labeled abroad? If this is the case, why can't we have labels here? That's outrageous.
Catherine Brockenborough
Nashville, TN
I notice Mr. Redick, in the first paragraph of his about page on his website states that he "represents clients in the high-technology and agriculturalbiotechnology industry sectors with issues relating to regulatory approval, liability avoidance and compliance with industry standards addressing socioeconomic and environmental impacts of multinational operations." Could he explain why "liability avoidance" is given such high priority in his description of what he does? What kind of liabilities is the biotech industry that he represents concerned about? Also, what kind of "environmental impacts" is he concerned about?
Robert Meppelink
Hastings, Michigan
I am in favor of labels identifying genetically modified foods because I feel that many companies who produce this food, like Monsanto for example, treat farmers in an unethical way and are compromising the traditional lifestyles of rural America. As a consumer, I would like to have the choice to buy foods that don't support these seed companies. I am undecided about the health risks, but after watching Food Inc I never want to buy a Monsanto product again. Don't I have the right to make that choice?
Also, please address the conflict of interest inherent in this fight AGAINST labeling. I know that many officials in the FDA and USDA have ties to Monsanto. How can people claim to make a fair decision when they have vested financial interests in these seed companies who have obtained a patent on these gmo foods.
If the majority of crops are genetically modified why would the FDA block such labeling?
Can you tell us exactly who lobbied the FDA to not label GMO's?
If producers of GMO crops have nothing to hide, why are they fighting so hard to hide it?
Who is on the board of the FDA? Is the head of the FDA a previous executive of Monsanto? If most crops are genetically modified why would the FDA refuse to label them so
Here you go. Former Former executive of Monsanto appointed head of FDA. That explains the FDA turning down labeling foods as GMO's
Former Former Monsanto Exec. Appointed to the Head of the F.D.A.!
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From: WeAreGreenTV.com
Michael R. Taylor, J.D., was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Foods. This was announced on the FDA’s website the day after the earthquake in Haiti. Michael Taylor is a former top executive, lawyer and lobbyist with biotech giant Monsanto Co. He has rotated in and out of law firms, Monsanto, the USDA and FDA.
During his former stint in the FDA during the Clinton administration he helped write the rules to allow rBGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) into the American food system and our children’s milk. Which is perhaps why the FDA staffer who wrote Taylor’s bio seems to have all-but-forgotten his decade-plus of Monsanto work. Michael Taylor and Monsanto are responsible for subjecting this country and many others to the increased risk of breast cancer (7 times greater risk), prostate cancer and colon cancer because of what they did to milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream with rBGH as well as to all the foods that rely on milk solids and other parts of milk.
I have a question about Transparency, truth, and trust. Recently, Stonyfield switched to yogurt cups made from corn, and has admitted on the company website that they are made from genetically engineered corn. Now I think this is a good thing, much better than fossil-fuel-based plastic cups.
But a lot of other Stonyfield customers were outraged at this news, and feel they would like to know. My question is, since you said on the show this morning that you believe people have a “right to know” if their food is genetically engineered – do you believe that your customers have a right to know if the containers that their food comes in are made from genetically engineered crops?
How about Truth, Transparency and Trust with your own products? When can we expect a “made from GMO” label on your company’s yogurt cups?
Diane,
Thank you so much for having your amazing show.
I am concerned, we have so many choices that have been taken away from us due to Big Business's and their love relationship with our government.
I wonder if these gentlemen can say if there have been any studies done looking for any connections between infertility in humans and the infertility in the cows that are being fed GM corn.
I for on will do without if there is any doubt that I am not eating a Clean food.
Monsanto has paid lots of money to fight the farmers that have seeds migrate into their foods ( why does a farmer forced to pay for something they did not want in the first place.. I choose to not eat food that has E'Coli inserted into the plant DNA so it can reduce the effectiveness of the plants immune system.
If we stopped all GM planting and closed the CFO operations, I feel that we will see a remarkable resergence of good farming would reduce Global Warming and feed everyone in the world.
We need to remove all ex employees of Monsanto from all Government offices.
I want my foods labeled! I want the quality of our foods looked at. Thank you!
So talk about former top executive, lawyer and lobbyist with biotech Monsanto Micheal Taylors influence on this FDA decision to not label GMO products.
How many of the members in upper level positions at the FDA have worked for Monsanto and other bio tech companies?
Can people who are interested in this issue access all FDA meetings with lobbyist from bio tech companies?
If the biotech companies are so proud of their achievement, why do thy not want people to know that the food they eat is genetically modified? Why not genetically lawyers?
Dan
I've been looking at several products in our pantry, corn, soy, rice, etc. None of them have any indication for GMO or non-GMO.
I don't have any particular adversity to GMO products, but I think I should be able to look at the label make an informed decision. If it cost more, well that's also my choice to make.
As a Mother, I want to know what I feed my family. As far as surveys go, I bet if you ask a simple question.."Would you like to know if food you buy is genetically modified? " The answer would be resounding in terms orf consumers wanting to know! I want the choice of purchasing NON GM food and I will pay a premium to get it! I want complete transparency in my food!
As a farmer of both genetically modified and non modified crops I would like to point out to your listeners that there seems to be an oversimplification on food safety in terms of non-gmo vs. genetically modified. I personally spray the herbicides for both crops. I would like
Gardner to read the active ingredients for two common herbicides applied to non gmo soybeans: Flexstar (broadleaf killer) and Select Max a grass killer. Both contain cancerous chemicals. The idea that non gmo is safer and that gmo is leading to more chemical beings used is misleading. The chemicals used on non-gmo crops are far more dangerous and toxic (residuals) than say the the widely used Roundup. Personally I wish we did not have to apply any chemicals to raise food for consumption. I myself buy organic when I can. Chemical use will continue to rise in the future.
Thank you.
Ryan
Hi Diane--
Thanks for doing this show. We at Consumer Reports believe that GMO foods should be adequately tested for safety and the recent review of GMO-salmon suggests proper safety testing is seriously lacking. While the controversies continue, at the very least people should be able to choose whether they want to buy GMO food and as such they should be labeled.
-The Food Safety Team at Consumer Reports
Good question.
I also wonder if the WTO will someday step in and ELIMINATE labels - at least that is my take on the WTO.
A discussion of GMO corn or soybeans should always include the benefits in soil conversation which result from the major reduction in tillage of fields allowed using GMO crops. Since GMO crops have been introduced plows have nearly disappeared from farms because weed control does not require that mechanical means of control. While I am uncertain about whether labeling is necessary or desireable I do believe that it should be kept clear that there are major benefits for farm fields and streams from their use. Anything which reduces the marketability of GMO crops increases the costs of weed control, both in energy used and erosion. I suppose my point is "Don't demonize GMO." It has major benefits on the farm.
Hi Diane,
I would like to know how these farms are able to afford the added expense of huge amounts of defoliants and pesticides? would reducing or removing farm subsidies help to defeat these practices?
I am glad to hear that my question was asked on the air, but I think Gary Hirshberg dodged the main part of the question - and that is that although he agrees that his customers have a "right to know" if his company's yogurt cups are made from genetically engineered corn, this is NOT on the label. That's what this discussion is about. When can we expect to see this labeled on the yogurt cup?