For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page, Millions Against Monsanto page, and our California News page.

It appears as if organizers have gathered enough signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot in California which would require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Of all the efforts to date to mandate such labeling, this initiative seems most likely to succeed in a state known for its health consciousness and its widespread organic agriculture (which doesn’t permit genetically engineered crops).

But passage of the California initiative would almost certainly lead to a court battle as major producers of genetically engineered seeds seek to have the new law invalidated. We know this because the Monsanto Company, the largest purveyor of genetically modified seeds, threatened the state of Vermont with a lawsuit should its legislature pass a genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling bill. Though passed 9 to 1 by Vermont’s House Agriculture Committee, the bill is likely to die because the legislature goes out of session shortly, too soon, it seems, for the full House to act. Next door Connecticut is moving a similar bill, the fate of which remains open.

Labeling is an existential issue for the GMO industry. Where labeling
exists, there is virtually no demand for genetically modified foods.
Consumers do not want them. Why? Because the industry cannot demonstrate
any benefits for the consumer. The only benefits–large profits drained
from farmers locked into the treadmill of buying new GMO seed every
year–accrue to the companies. With no demonstrated benefits and lots of
questions surrounding the safety of GMO foods, consumers are choosing
to play it safe wherever they can knowingly make choices through
labeling. It turns out that GMO labeling would be the equivalent of
putting a skull and crossbones on a food package or piece of produce,
and the companies know it.