Prop 37: profit before science

  • Proposition 37 is an anti-science campaign that flies in the face of an overwhelming scientific consensus that genetically modified foods are safe and healthy.

From Reason:

An initiative mandating that foods containing genetically modified organisms carry warning labels has made it onto the ballot in California. Proposition 37, the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act initiative, is an anti-science campaign that flies in the face of an overwhelming scientific consensus that genetically modified foods are safe and healthy. Corporate sponsors are working closely with unaccountable special interest groups in a disinformation campaign designed to frighten and confuse voters.

The Proposition 37 petition asserts that “genetic engineering of plants and animals often causes unintended consequences. Manipulating genes and inserting them into organisms is an imprecise process. The results are not always predictable or controllable, and they can lead to adverse health or environmental consequences.” All of these claims, quoted from the findings and declarations section of the initiative, are solidly contradicted by the scientific consensus regarding biotech crops.

For more, see: California Initiative Puts Profit Ahead of Science

Discuss this Article 8

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 21, 2012

Yes, GMOs are profit over science. Actually science is not the main point on this issue. It's about accountability. Consumers demand what they are buying. If GMOs are so benign, then why are companies like Monsanto so against consumers right to know what they are buying? GMOs have NOT been proven safe. There are many unknowns and actually not nearly enough science to prove them safe.

Kevin Folta (not verified)
on Sep 15, 2012

Companies, farmers and scientists are against labeling because consumers lack scientific literacy to know what the label means. Plus, the justification for labels, as stated above, is based on a fantasy. Most importantly, it implies a warning, that there is risk when there isn't. That hurts farmers and will raise cost for consumers.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 21, 2012

Obviously, you care more about money than humans... a legacy that will haunt you and your family. You are delusional, ignorant, or intentionally misleading and injuring millions. Disgusting. Good Luck with your soul.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 22, 2012

incredible to me (not really) how easily the subject of heavy chemical use is omitted from these diatribes ..where is the discussion of herbicide and pesticide usage, which is one of the major reasons for the creation of GMO?

Kevin Folta (not verified)
on Sep 15, 2012

According to the National Academies of Science and the 2010 book Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on Agriculture in the USA Figures 2-3 and 2-4 show that pesticide use is cut 80% on corn and cotton. Herbicide use is up on glyphosate resistant crops, but that's glyphosate use. All other more nasty ones are reduced almost to zero. These are the facts on herbicide and pesticide use.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 22, 2012

If GMOs are so wonderful.. why NOT label them? What are these big companies afraid of.. oh yes, the fact that people will not buy GMOs when they actually know what is in their food. I am tired of being a science experiment.......

Peter Leonard (not verified)
on Sep 5, 2012

So eating a pesticide (Bt) is healthy? What's your definition of health?

jones88
on May 14, 2013

I think it is so important to have these warning labels so much here. People have to be made aware of the warnings here. So many great options will come from this all. Windows and Doors Oakville

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