One of the gravest modern threats to ecology and public health is the reckless, unchecked expansion of genetically modified foods. The deregulation of GMOs that has taken place in recent years is a genuine cause for alarm — worldwide, but especially in the US.

Research indicates that an overwhelming majority of US citizens favor mandatory labeling of foods that contain ingredients produced with laboratory (unnatural) direct genetic modification. But the White House and the US Congress have shown that, on this count, their allegiance is with the biotech industry, not with the public.

The latest acts of government deference to the biotech industry at the peril of the public health has spurred a new petition campaign at MoveOn.org.

FDA’s Voluntary GMO Labeling Is Good for Monsanto, Bad for Consumers

According to the Organic Consumers’ Association:

While consumers battle on for laws mandating the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products, some lawmakers are taking the GMO labeling debate in a different direction. And it’s a direction that’s anything but consumer friendly.

Last month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) asked the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to finalize its 2001 guidance on voluntary labeling of GMOs.

The senators advertised their request as a move intended to benefit you, the consumer. But in fact, a federal voluntary labeling plan plays right into the hands of the biotech and big food industries.

Sorry, Senators. But voluntary will never be the new mandatory.

If the FDA heeds the request of Senators Warren and Udall, we could see the end of states’ rights to label GMOs. And the end of non-GMO certification and labeling. Not exactly the consumer-friendly sort of advocating we’re looking for.

→ Read the entire essay here

You can read and sign MoveOn’s petition below:

You can also read and sign the petition here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-senators-warren

Please forward to your friends and loved ones.