Like the overwhelming majority of scientific and medical experts and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, we believe that foods made with the benefit of modern biotechnology are safe and that labeling them as “genetically engineered” would mislead consumers by creating the false impression that foods containing GE ingredients are less safe than foods made without the benefit of biotechnology. Mandatory labeling can only be scientifically justified when based on the characteristics of the food product, not on the processes used in their development.
We also believe that modern biotechnology offers important tools to help increase agricultural productivity, protect crops from insects, pests and diseases, reduce the use of pesticides and water and increase the nutritional benefits of certain foods.
Therefore, along with other scientists and medical professionals, we oppose the California ballot proposition and other similar measures that would ban the sale of thousands of perfectly safe, common food and beverage products unless they are labeled as “genetically engineered” or reformulated to remove any GE ingredients. Such measures would be enormously disruptive and costly to the food industry and to consumers, without providing any health or safety benefits.