Labeling Genetically Modified Food: The Philosophical and Legal DebatePaul Weirich Oxford University Press, 2007 M11 1 - 272 pages Food products with genetically modified (GM) ingredients are common, yet many consumers are unaware of this. When polled, consumers say that they want to know whether their food contains GM ingredients, just as many want to know whether their food is natural or organic. Informing consumers is a major motivation for labeling. But labeling need not be mandatory. Consumers who want GM-free products will pay a premium to support voluntary labeling. Why do consumers want to know about GM ingredients? GM foods are tested to ensure safety and have been on the market for more than a decade. Still, many consumers, including some with food allergies, want to be cautious. Also, GM crops may affect neighboring plants through pollen drift. Despite tests for environmental impact, some consumers may worry that GM crops will adversely effect the environment. The study of risk and its management raises questions not settled by the life sciences alone. This book surveys various labeling policies and the cases for them. It is the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment of the debate about labeling genetically modified food. The contributors include philosophers, bioethicists, food and agricultural scientists, attorneys/legal scholars, and economists. |
Contents
| 3 | |
The Extent of the Art and the State of the Science | 10 |
3 Biotechnology and the Food Label | 17 |
4 European Community Legislation for Traceability and Labeling of Genetically Modified Crops Food and Feed | 32 |
5 Genetically Engineered Animals and the Ethics of Food Labeling | 63 |
6 Mandatory Genetic Engineering Labels and Consumer Autonomy | 88 |
7 Consumer Response to Mandated Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods | 106 |
Consumer Sovereignty Federal Regulation and Industry Control in Marketing and Choosing Food in the United States | 128 |
9 Regulatory Barriers to Consumer Information about Genetically Modified Foods | 151 |
Rights Risks Interests and Institutional Options | 178 |
Some ContingentInstitutional Considerations in Favor of Labeling | 201 |
12 Using Food Labels to Regulate Risks | 222 |
Index | 247 |
Other editions - View all
Labeling Genetically Modified Food: The Philosophical and Legal Debate Paul Weirich Limited preview - 2007 |
Labeling Genetically Modified Food: The Philosophical and Legal Debate Paul Weirich Limited preview - 2007 |
Labeling Genetically Modified Food: The Philosophical and Legal Debate Paul Weirich Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
agency’s Agricultural allergenic animal products argue assessment attitudes authority autonomy argument bioengineered coexistence concerns consumer autonomy consumer preferences cost–benefit analysis Cranor effects environment environmental Enviropigs European Commission European Union example facie duty FDA’s FDCA federal Food and Drug food label food products Food Safety gene genetically engineered Genetically Modified Food Genetically Modified Organisms GM crops GM foods GM ingredients GM labels GM plants GM products GMOs harm implement information-sensitive risks issue labeling GM food labeling of GM labeling policy labeling requirement mandate mandatory labeling measures milk misleading morally negative labeling non-GM foods nutrition obligation olestra organic foods positive labeling regime Precautionary Principle prima facie duty protect protein purchase rBST reasons regulation regulatory agencies relevant require labeling response Rubel and Streiffer Science scientific sellers soybeans Streiffer and Rubel studies sumers tion transgenic University of Missouri–Columbia USDA voluntary labeling