Genetically Modified Organisms in Food : Ethical Tensions and the Labeling Initiative

As part of an international book on ethical tensions and agricultural biotechnology, this chapter discusses genetically modified food in the context of the recent federal labeling law (the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard). It explores the ethical implications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food that originate from plants genetically altered through bioengineering. The tensions between the proliferation of agricultural biotechnology and consumer concerns about potential harm to human health and the environment ultimately cause us to reflect on the current regulatory scheme in the USA. Does the failure to require adequate, meaningful labeling, and the preemption of grassroots efforts to do so, violate our right to informed consent by not allowing consumers a choice as to whether to knowingly and willingly assume the risks of ingesting GMOs?