Labeling GMOs - Essay Example

GMO is an acronym used to refer to genetically modified organisms such as crops and other food items. Today food products produced through the process of genetic alteration have increased and a huge number of food products being sold in the markets of the United States are being produced through the process of genetic modification. One of the controversies that is surrounding the promotion and adoption of GM foods is whether these food products should be labeled as genetically modified food or not. The policy of labeling GM foods is being debated in the assemblies and soon a consensus may be reached. GM food products should be labeled because it is the right of the citizens to decide what they eat, because this will enable informed decision-making, and because this will increase the profitability of the smaller business owners.

GM food should be labeled as food processed and produced through the method of genetic alteration because this would provide consumers to decide what they want to eat and what they want to avoid. If GM foods are not labeled, consumers will feel that they are being forced to purchase goods and services that they do not want to consume. If GM foods continue to be sold in the markets without being labeled then it would clearly give an impression to the consumers that they are being coerced into purchasing food items that they perceive to have a negative impact on their health. According to Runyon, the majority of the citizens are in favor of labeling GM foods as the author cites a panel review in which 11 votes were cast in favor of labeling (Runyon, 2014).

GM foods should be labeled because this would allow consumers to make informed choices. Consumers have become very concerned about what they consume due to an increase in awareness of health issues. Many consumers are of the perception that GM foods can affect their health and well-being in a negative manner. Even several types of research have proved that GM foods can impact the health of human beings in a negative manner. According to research cited by Bronner in his article, herbicides that are highly toxic in nature are being sprayed in the fields where GM food crops are being produced and these toxic herbicides can have a major impact on the health of consumers (Bronner, 2014).

GM foods should be labeled because labeling will allow the promotion of the production of food products in a healthier and organic manner and will even increase the profitability of small businesses. Those who oppose labeling believe that the cost of labeling would be so high for small businesses that they will eventually run out of business while trying to meet the labeling requirements. But labeling would increase the demand for businesses that provide organic food products and their profitability will even increase. O'Connor has reported a business recognized as Bradford Heap and the business started offering food products not being produced through GM ingredients and the business has experienced an increase in profitability by 25% (O'Connor, 2014).

GM foods should be labeled because consumers have a right to know what they eat and what they want to avoid and labeling will provide them with the freedom of making this decision. Labeling will even allow citizens to steer away from unhealthy food products as GM foods have been found to impact the health of the citizens in a negative manner. Another reason for labeling is that it would encourage the production of organic foods and will increase the profitability of small businesses that produce organic food.