Time to Improve Safety Reviews of GMOs

By: Scott Faber, Executive Director (JLI)

There are many reasons that American consumers want the right to know whether there are genetically modified ingredients in their food, including uncertainty regarding the safety of consuming these novel crops.

Until we have transparency and a truly rigorous review system, we can’t be certain that it’s safe to eat food containing genetically engineered ingredients. As Consumers Union, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the Center for Food Safety have methodically documented, the current review system relies entirely on industry-funded science and does not require the kinds of long-term studies that should be done for GMOs and are routinely done to determine whether pesticides are safe.

What’s clear is that the widespread adoption of genetically modified corn, soybeans and other crops has dramatically increased the use of weed-killing herbicides such as glyphosate. And what’s equally clear is that overuse of glyphosate has forced farmers to turn to more toxic herbicides linked to serious health problems, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Rather than giving American consumers the same right to know that consumers have in 64 other countries and fighting for a credible review system, some food and biotechnology companies are supporting legislation to block GMO labeling and to actually weaken the inadequate “review process” used by the Food and Drug Administration. Designed more than two decades ago to expedite commercial use of GMOs, the current voluntary process falls far short of what consumers reasonably expect from our food safety regulators.

Legislation championed by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), dubbed by opponents the Deny Americans the Right to Know Act or DARK Act, would block state GMO labeling laws and codify the broken voluntary GMO labeling system. It would also allow new GMO traits to be used in food regardless of whether FDA has even completed a review.

As I testified on Capitol Hill last week, Congress should reject the DARK Act and instead support mandatory GMO labeling and an FDA review system based on independent studies and published science, not industry science. There are many reasons consumers want the right to know, ranging from increased use of toxic herbicides to religious concerns. Without full transparency and thorough scientific reviews, it should be no surprise that consumers have safety concerns about consuming GMOs.