August 6, 2013. In an effort to promote an understanding of the multitude of benefits provided b Genetically Modified Organisms (“GMO”), specifically GMO Crops, several industry leaders have launched GMOAnswers.com. Those supporting the site include some of the major companies currently operating in crop biotechnology and agriculture, such as Monsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer CropScience and BASF.
The driving force behind the launching of this side is to help tell the other side of the story. Since the advent of GMO Crops in the 1990s vocal critics have leveraged the internet and social media to denounce GMO Crops. This vocal minority has attempted to portray GMO Crops in a negative light, pushing for labeling requirements and other restrictions. This resistance has emerged even though the Food and Drug Administration has said that genetic engineering per se does not make foods materially different in a manner that would require a label.
The hope is that with the launching of this site companies and consumers will be able to evaluate all of the facts and not just the biased opinions of an intensely critical opposition. The site is designed to provide additional transparency about the facts and benefits associated with GMO Crops and allow companies and consumers to make informed decisions. Continue to monitor the GLF Ag Law Blog for the latest news and legal updates regarding food labeling requirements.