This is one of the most common talking points presented by anti-GMO proponents, so I think it's something that's definitely worth covering. This topic has been covered by many publications, but I want to voice my own opinion on the matter. Well, it's not really as much an opinion as it is a position based upon the current evidence available.
Other sources have stated time and time again that labeling GMOs would be a pointless endeavor. Not only is it pointless, but it strengthens the misnomer that GMOs are somehow inherently dangerous. This notion is falsified by the evidence, but those who oppose the technology still believe it to be true for some reason. One of the main reason why this belief is wrong is because technologies themselves aren't inherently good, or bad. It's what they are used for which makes them one or the other. In regard to agriculture, it's the product which the technology has produced that matters, not the technology itself. This is why blanket statements like, "GMOs cause harm" fail on their own merit. Which GMOs? All GMOs? When you look at the argument from this perspective, it's easy to see that it really makes no sense.
Now, here's my argument against GMO labeling: It would cause far more harm than good, especially when it comes to the health of the general public. It's odd to think that something as innocuous as a label on food could possibly increase the instances of certain diseases, but it can. The reason for this has to deal with the current state of our (America's) economy. Today, we have an issue with both obesity and diabetes in this country. Most of this is due to the fact that we have a large portion of our population which is sitting near or below the poverty line. Many of which are basically forced to live off of cheap, processed foods for nutrition. This is from where the obesity and diabetes stems.
What does this have to do with labels? Everything. You see, when the EU implemented their labeling policies, they started a chain reaction. The scientifically challenged public started avoiding foods which had GMOs listed as ingredients. This made manufacturers remove GMOs from the ingredients of their products. The main problem with this is, it made everyone's food spending increase by $200 - $500 a year. This is due to the fact that many GMOs are cheaper to produce than their conventional and organic counterparts. Economists predict that if the same thing were to happen in the U.S., we would see an average increase of *$400 a year in food spending, per person.
This would make healthier foods inaccessible to an even larger portion of our population. Which would mean we'd then have even more people relying on fast food or processed foods for nutrition, increasing our instances of obesity and diabetes as a result. We would also see an increase in medical spending and a reduction in general productivity. All for no good reason.
Now ask yourself, is it really worth it? Is your irrational fear worth the health of others?
*This number was based on those living in California, other States may vary.
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