GMO Food Labeling
What are GMOs?
GMOs are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated using bio-technology to create transgenic species of plants and animals that exhibit traits found in a completely unrelated species, such as bacteria and viruses.
GMO crops were introduced commercially in the U.S. in 1996. Since then they have dominated the agricultural landscape, with GMO varieties accounting for 88% of corn acres, 90% of cotton and sugar beet acres, and 94% of soybean acres.
Even with such prevalence, the myriad potential short and long-term health, environment, and safety risks associated with genetic engineering have yet to be fully examined.
New Yorkers Have a Right to Know
While there are differing views about the safety of GMO crops, consumers have a right to know about the food they buy, eat, and feed their families. GMO labeling is a common sense policy that provides consumers important information about the food choices they make.