GMO Labeling

Regulatory review of a divided world

Abstract

Abstract

Genetically Modified Organisms, a product of modern biotechnology, took the world food market by surprise. A scurry of GM food products entered our food chain. The production, development, and commercial release of these products was highly divergent in space and time. Resultantly, traceability and labeling of GMOs become an arduous as well as a requisite task. GMOs and products derived from them have been marred in controversies over their biosafety, ecological, economic, and ethical impacts. Thus, labeling and identity preservation of these products become even more important as well as contentious. The paper aims to dissect and establish that the actual labeling practice is far more complicated requiring planning and regulation at every step. The analyses of universally applicable ecological principles, country-wise legal structure, and existing international legislation depicted divergent approaches on GMO labeling which emerges due to varying social, economic, cultural, and political status of the countries. The need is to develop and implement a globally coherent labeling policy for the benefit of humankind.