Here in Washington, the GMO labeling debate is in full swing. Last week, both the YES on I-522 and the No on I-522 campaigns launched their first TV ads.
Labeling genetically modified foods is not a partisan issue: there are Republicans and Democrats on both sides, businesses on both sides, farmers on both sides and parents on both sides.
The “yes” on I-522 campaign says that consumers have a right to know whether their food is genetically modified, just like they have a right to know what is in their food. Their website details why GMOs are bad for farm workers, why GMO labeling is important for Washington’s wheat, fish and apple industries and discusses the environmental impacts of GMO farming. Their new ad also maintains that corporations backing the “no” campaign don’t care about consumers, just about profits.
The “no” on I-522 campaign says that GMO labeling will cost businesses more and hurt farmers and consumers alike. They also say the initiative is poorly written and rife with arbitrary exemptions that render it useless. One of their new TV spots expresses that our state’s food standards should be consistent with federal food standards.
Another argument, highlighted by a recent article in Washington Business magazine, reiterates that GMOs have not been found dangerous for human consumption, so why do we need to label them?
The “Yes on I-522” campaign says that the reason to label is to allow shoppers to have more control over their decision making – knowing whether the food you consume is genetically modified is the same as knowing its nutritional content.
This issue will be decided by Washington voters in November. What do you think?
If you want more information, here’s the initiative, a pro I- 522 opinion piece and an anti I-522 opinion piece. Decide for yourself.