Vermont is the first state to pass a law to make labeling genetically modified foods required

Website:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/04/29/how-vermont-plans-to-defend-the-nations-first-gmo-law/

Author: Niraj Chokshi

Kristy Condon

Kristy Condon

Kristy Condon

Date of Publication: May 9, 2014

            Vermont was the first state in the US to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods.  Governer Peter Shumlin completed the law and said, “We believe we have a right to know what’s in the food we buy.”  This is a victory for the people who advocate for the labeling of GM foods.  However, the state was preparing for a likely lawsuit.  Attorney General Bill Sorrell said he would be "very suprised" if the state wasn't sued.  Other states have pursued similar ideas, but Vermont's is still the first.  For example, Connecticut and Maine have passed laws that make labels required, but these requirements need other states to agree as well before the law takes effect.
            Industry groups say that these laws are costly and bad for consumers.  A report created by professors from the universities of California, Illinois, and Missouri, had no scientific reason for why GM food should be labeled.  They argued that such requirements could cause trade problems--in other countries, many of the labeling requirements violate World Trade Organization agreements.  Also, the professors said food prices could rise if companies decide to use non-GM foods instead of choosing to label GM foods.  Prices would be less if they chose to sell and label GM foods since they generally cost less to produce.  
           On the other hand, people argue that labeling GM foods is beneficial since the science of GM foods is far from conclusive.  They say that consumers should not take unnecessary risks without knowing what they are eating.  These people think that if companies believe in the safety of GM foods, then they shouldn't worry about needing to label them.  
            People believed the food industry may fight back with certain arguments.  First, the food industry could say that this law violates the right of commercial free speech under the First Amendment.  In other words, this says the law violates the fact that the food industry can say what it wants to say-- it forces them to say that their product is a GM food if it is.  The second argument is that this law might violate federal law.  This argument is based on whether the federal law overpowers the state law, or the other way around.  Finally, the last argument is that it interferes with interstate commerce, any work requiring the movement of people or things across states or from foreign countries.  The Constitution’s Commerce Clause allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce, but also allows the state to regulate it also.  This means GM foods must be labeled if they are to be imported into Vermont.  These are three arguments against the state, but the food industry is still likely to lose since the details favor the new GM food labeling law.               
           This relates to biology class since it is about GMOs, a topic we studied.  It also describes the controversy of GMOs-- whether they are good or bad, which is similar to our debate in class.   

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