Yang Y Tony, Chen Brian
College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22020, USA.
Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
J Sci Food Agric. 2016 Apr;96(6):1851-5. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7523. Epub 2015 Dec 16.
Controversy surrounds the production and consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Proponents argue that GMO food sources represent the only viable solution to food shortages in an ever-growing global population. Science reports no harm from GMO use and consumption so far. Opponents fear the potentially negative impact that GMO development and use could have on the environment and consumers, and are concerned about the lack of data on the long-term effects of GMO use. We discuss the development of GMO food sources, the history of legislation and policy for the labeling requirements of GMO food products, and the health, environmental, and legal rationale for and against GMO food labeling. The Food and Drug Administration regulates food with GMOs within a coordinated framework of federal agencies. Despite mounting scientific evidence that GMO foods are substantially equivalent to traditionally bred food sources, debate remains over the appropriateness of GMO food labeling. In fact, food manufacturers have mounted a First Amendment challenge against Vermont's passage of a law that requires GMO labeling. Mandatory GMO labeling is not supported by science. Compulsory GMO labels may not only hinder the development of agricultural biotechnology, but may also exacerbate the misconception that GMOs endanger people's health.
转基因生物（GMOs）的生产和消费存在争议。支持者认为，转基因食品来源是不断增长的全球人口应对粮食短缺的唯一可行解决方案。到目前为止，科学报告称转基因生物的使用和消费没有危害。反对者担心转基因生物的开发和使用可能对环境和消费者产生潜在的负面影响，并对缺乏转基因生物使用长期影响的数据表示担忧。我们讨论了转基因食品来源的发展、转基因食品标签要求的立法和政策历史，以及支持和反对转基因食品标签的健康、环境和法律依据。美国食品药品监督管理局在联邦机构的协调框架内对含有转基因生物的食品进行监管。尽管越来越多的科学证据表明转基因食品与传统培育的食品来源基本等同，但关于转基因食品标签的适当性仍存在争议。事实上，食品制造商已依据美国宪法第一修正案对佛蒙特州通过的一项要求转基因食品标签的法律提出质疑。转基因食品强制标签并无科学依据。强制转基因食品标签不仅可能阻碍农业生物技术的发展，还可能加剧人们认为转基因生物危害健康的误解。
