Business Week | November 15, 1999
Og Green of Ohio writes that in "Furor over 'Frankenfood'" (News: Analysis & Commentary, Oct. 18) you raise the issue of whether or not labels should be mandatory on genetically modified foods.
This discussion is much needed and deserves wider attention. Especially alarming is one of the arguments presented: that genetically modified foods are highly technical and that the public may misinterpret the technological complexity. Implicit in the argument is that prejudice rather than knowledge may prevent consumers from buying genetically modified foods. The argument aims to prevent such labeling so such products can sell obscurely among other foods on the European market, where the public is especially sensitive to the origin of food.
The adoption of such a policy needs careful consideration. First, technological complexity cannot be used as an excuse for depriving consumers of the right to make informed choices.
