Letters to the Editor

Letters may be emailed to edit@dtn.com or mailed to Greg Horstmeier, 9110 West Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68114.

Dear Editor:

After reading this morning's (March 15) Washington Insider section titled, "Senate Democrats Pushing Mandatory Label/Disclosure Trigger in Coming Floor Debate" I decided to write this short note recommending an incredibly simple solution to resolve this issue. I have submitted this to Senator Pat Roberts as well, but to get traction this solution only needs publicity so I'm writing this note.

The arguments in support of mandatory labeling largely fall in the "consumers have a right to know what's in their food" category, which in theory is hard to argue with. On the flip side, there are no proven scientific-based concerns regarding GMOs in the foods we eat and this is the basis (in general) for the position for those who oppose mandatory labeling of GMOs.

Therefore, the solution seems very simple: Make labeling of non-GMOs mandatory. If those in support of mandatory GMO labeling truly are interested in transparency, then mandatory labeling of non-GMOs provides the same amount of transparency (if you're only going to mandate labeling for one side of the argument, why not label the non-GMO side?).

In addition, this should ease the concern of those who fear that mandatory labeling of GMOs will scare the public into thinking they are unsafe. Another great aspect of this solution is the cost to implement is almost zero because the food industry, in general, already labels non-GMO products.

B. Holt

(CZ)

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