Living a healthy lifestyle is not just about exercise. What you eat is just as important, if not more so. In principle, it is easy to eat healthy. But we do not always have the information to make fully informed decisions about what we eat. Currently, genetically engineered (GE) foods are not labeled, so we have no way of knowing if the food we are eating is a product of this artificial process. That's why I support California's Proposition, which would require labeling of GE foods and I urge you to as well.
Labeling is not a new concept -- in fact, over 50 other countries require labeling of all GE foods. The reason is simple -- as consumers we should have the right to know what we are eating. Most GE foods are engineered to either produce pesticides in their tissues or resist herbicides sprayed on them. The impacts of the GE foods have not been subjected to long term independent study. I would rather know what I am eating and decide what risks to take than be left wondering whether an ear of corn I buy is engineered with pesticides or not.
Knowledge is the key to creating a healthier nation. When people are aware of what they are eating, they can make healthier decisions. Right now, non-GE foods are not always accessible to the average American family. Polls show over 90 percent of people support mandatory GE labeling, but there is an avalanche of money being spent to mislead voters into thinking Prop 37 will be costly and complicated, when the opposite is true.
In fact, some of the leading opponents of Prop 37 have spoken favorably of labeling in other countries. Monsanto, for example, the big herbicide and seed company produced an ad in the UK touting the labeling law, while they continue to oppose Prop 37. In the UK, Monsanto's advertisement, under a heading "Food Labeling, It Has Monsanto's Full Backing" reads:
"Recently you may have noticed a label appearing... to inform you about the use of biotechnology in food. Monsanto fully supports UK food manufacturers and retailers in their introduction of these labels. We believe you should be aware of all the facts before making a purchase."
If labeling of GE food is good for the UK, it should be good for California.. We need to spread the message to the masses and get the word out.
Not only are GE crops potentially damaging to bodies, they are also poisoning the planet. Since most GE crops are designed to withstand powerful herbicides, they allow food producers to use much higher levels of herbicides, which ultimately hurts the environment.
This issue is especially important to me because I have children and want to make sure my kids eat healthy wholesome foods. Prop 37 was developed by Californians who were concerned about what their children and grandchildren were eating. Even if you are agnostic about whether genetic engineering of food is good or bad, hopefully we can all agree that as parents, we should be able to choose what kind of food to feed our children and make our own decisions.
Prop 37 is a well written common sense measure that gives us more control over what we are eating. But, it is not going to pass unless we act to make it happen. We need to vote for Prop 37, but we also need to tell our friends, our families, and our neighbors to do the same. Below is a great video that will help inform Californians on why we need GMOs labelled -- I hope you will share it. We all deserve to know what's in our food. Lets pass Prop 37.