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Labeling GM foods—the ethical way forward

Nature Biotechnology volume 20, page 868 (2002)Cite this article

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I refer to the proposals from the European Commission on traceability and labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and food and feed products derived from them1. As is widely realized, the food-labeling proposals go beyond current standards by requiring labels for all foods produced by GMOs regardless of whether detectable DNA or proteins are in those products2. Several objections have been raised against these proposals on the grounds of practicality (the availability of the necessary analytical detection methods), fairness (the possibility of discrimination against certain producers and countries), and cost3.

However, here I want to go to the heart of the two usual arguments in favor of this labeling: first, that such labeling is ethical, and second, that people want it. The second issue is more easily dealt with. Of course, if you ask people, “Do you want labeling?” most will say yes, but it is facile and misleading to conclude from this that labeling is really what they want. People need to know the consequences of policies, including compulsory labeling, and they need to know the arguments for and against them. Various surveys (such as the Eurobarometer in Europe) do not offer relevant accompanying information to provide such preliminary education. You might as well ask people “Do you want lower taxes?” Most people will say yes. The real question is something like “Do you want lower taxes and an accompanying reduction in such public services as education, health, transport, law enforcement, and defense?”

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References

  1. European Parliament. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Concerning Traceability and Labelling of Genetically Modified Organisms and Traceability of Food and Feed Products Produced from Genetically Modified Organisms (IP/01/1095, Brussels, July 25, 2001).

  2. Dorey, E. Nat. Biotechnol. 19, 795 (2001).

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  3. Fox, J.L. Nat. Biotechnol. 19, 897 (2001).

  4. Reiss, M.J. & Straughan, R. Improving Nature? The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1996).

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  5. Reiss, M.J. J. Agric. Environ. Ethics 14, 179–190 (2001).

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Author notes

  1. Michael Reiss: Until December 31, 2001 he was the ethicist on the UK Government's Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and Chair of EuropaBio's Advisory Group on Ethics. From 2001–2002 he was the specialist advisor to the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures

Authors and Affiliations

  1. professor of science education at the University of London Institute of Education,

    Michael Reiss

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  1. Michael Reiss
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Reiss, M. Labeling GM foods—the ethical way forward. Nat Biotechnol 20, 868 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0902-868

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