Originally published July 11 2014
The Oregonian opposes GMO food labeling because they think you're too stupid to understand
by L.J. Devon, Staff Writer
(NaturalNews) The editorial board for The Oregonian is against GMO food labeling, justifying their position by saying that the FDA feels that "there is simply no scientific or nutritional basis to do so."
Once upon a time, the federal government said that lead-based paint and leaded gasoline were safe, only to ban them later on. DDT used to be praised, but it's banned now too. The drug Vioxx was "safe" until it caused thousands of fatal heart attacks and strokes. What about all the food today that contains genetically altered ingredients? No one knows if the food they buy contains them, and they may very well be putting themselves and their family at risk.
So why would anyone be against transparency?
The Oregonian editorial board is against honest labeling, and they put out a piece stating that a food labeling initiative for GMO transparency would "sow confusion." Do these enlightened editors really think that consumers are too stupid to understand the meaning of genetically modified ingredients on food labels?
Perhaps, if consumers could identify which products are riddled with GMOs, then they could finally start questioning whether they wanted something genetically modified going into their bodies or whether they wanted something more wholesome and less adulterated.
At the very least, people should be given a choice, especially in a free market, which relies on transparency and honest labels to truly evolve as a free market.
But the idea of GMO labeling to The Oregonian editorial board is based on ideology, not "nutritionally relevant information." They condone the people's right to know, saying its all just about personal ideologies. "You can find a hodgepodge of arguments [for labeling].... They include environmental concerns, labeling requirements in other countries, a desire to protect organic farmers in Oregon, even consumers' undefined 'personal' reasons."
How insulting of The Oregonian's editors.
GMO labeling initiative makes Oregon's November ballot, worrying GMO-friendly companies
The editorial board for The Oregonian is afraid that the new labels would read, "Produced with Genetic Engineering." What is wrong with consumers striving for food that has a little more flavor and natural quality?
The Oregonian's piece of propaganda comes right after GMO transparency advocates obtained 155,000 signatures to get a GMO labeling initiative on the November 2014 ballot in Oregon.
Apparently, there is a desperate need for transparency. The people are speaking up!
Transparency leads to freedom for consumers, allowing all to make an informed decision on what they put into their bodies. It's good to know how many calories are in a product and how much salt is in it, but why must consumers guess whether the food product was made with genetically altered materials?
A free market cannot evolve by the consent of consumers if it is controlled by dishonest labeling
There are 64 Nations that currently require GMO food labeling. Places like Germany, Australia and even Russia have the right to know whether their food is adulterated at the genetic level. Why doesn't the world's beacon of freedom, the United States, advocate for honesty and transparency in the marketplace? How can consumers give true consent to the products that they are purchasing if they are kept in the dark about the food's origins? Without honest transparent labeling, products in a free market are really not promoting free choice. Without knowing the whole makeup of the food, consumers are coaxed and deceived, practically dictated to eat whatever is put before them without question.
True transparency allows a free market to naturally evolve at the consent of the consumer, ultimately allowing what is best for all. And many would argue that genetically modified ingredients are not healthy for consumers in the long haul. By keeping people in the dark, the ability of the free market to move toward safer, natural foods is hindered, restricted. The more people know about genetically modified ingredients in their food, the more they will make healthier choices and the more this new-age food experiment called "genetic engineering" will dissolve.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.blueoregon.com
http://www.oregonlive.com
http://science.naturalnews.com
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