I've changed my mind on GMO labeling

[Natural Citizen]

It certainly does undermine liberty. So, that's that. I'm still going to follow what is happening around the world in terms of the GMO debate, though. It is a Geo-political issue today. I think that is where it will ultimately be decided. And, of course, there are some interesting things happening with regard to the products at the international level that are of significance to that notion.

[dannno]

There are already laws that require food labelling. I'm opposed to food labelling laws, but if we are going to require food labelling should it not be accurate? Is that really "corn" in my corn syrup? At some point the current labelling laws become deceptive, and if we have labelling laws I'm against labelling rules that are inherently deceptive.

[Cabal]

What undermines liberty? And how? Your OP is very unclear.

[sparebulb]

If someone doesn't want to know what they are eating, they don't have to read the label.

They shouldn't impose their ignorance on others.

Those that oppose mandatory labeling also get their friends in government to prohibit voluntary labeling.

$#@! them.

[nayjevin]

Is there not a volunteer or for-profit organization that can buy a few cans of each brand of food and do some testing ala Consumer Reports?

[Natural Citizen]

What undermines liberty? And how? Your OP is very unclear.

Certainly one of the principles of liberty is that while groups of individuals should have freedom to self-organize and impose rules upon themselves, they should not force the same rules on others or prevent others from equally doing the same.

[Cabal]

Certainly one of the principles of liberty is that while groups of individuals should have freedom to self-organize and impose rules upon themselves, they should not force the same rules on others or prevent others from equally doing the same.

So... you're against State mandated labeling, then? Or...? Because you still haven't actually made your position clear.

[angelatc]

There are already laws that require food labelling.

The libertarian position is not to require more labeling just because some labeling already exists.

[angelatc]

Is there not a volunteer or for-profit organization that can buy a few cans of each brand of food and do some testing ala Consumer Reports?

Or perhaps retailers that build an entire reputation based on selling only products free of certain chemicals and hybridizing techniques?

[dannno]

The libertarian position is not to require more labeling just because some labeling already exists.

Not more labelling, accurate labelling.. Not everybody buys the government science position that GMO corn is the same as corn.

[sparebulb]

Or perhaps retailers that build an entire reputation based on selling only products free of certain chemicals and hybridizing techniques?

There are laws on the books right now that prohibit beef producers from either testing their own butcher cattle for Mad Cow, or for advertising that they are tested for Mad Cow.

An outside entity that publishes food quality details will be prohibited from doing so by bipartisan acts of congress/agency edict, ceased and desisted by somebody's personal clown in a black robe, or sued into oblivion.

That is why country of origin labeling on beef is going away because THEY want you to specifically eat Canadian beef, which still has Mad Cow floating around.

[TheNewYorker]

My freedom to know what's in my food is greater than the freedom of companies to sell a product without labeling.

Individual freedom > Corporate freedom

[angelatc]

Not more labelling, accurate labelling.. Not everybody buys the government science position that GMO corn is the same as corn.

What you just said is that not everybody has any evidence to back up their opinions.

[Natural Citizen]

My freedom to know what's in my food is greater than the freedom of companies to sell a product without labeling.

Individual freedom > Corporate freedom

We shouldn't force someone at gunpoint to do with their property the same that you would do with yours. It is possible to avoid consuming GM products if this is one's choice.