Have you ever wondered what exactly is in that delicious Trix cereal you eat every morning? Of the many ingredients used to manufacture cereal, one prominent ingredient in Trix cereal is corn. However, this is not just any corn but rather genetically engineered corn. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are utilized in many of our favorite brands due to its prominent use in agriculture. In fact, “up to 92% of the U.S. corn is genetically engineered” ("About Genetically Engineered Foods"). This innovative technology has and will continue to provide benefits worldwide. Regardless of the rewards that have been generated by GMOs, there is something quite unsettling about genetically modifying food. The probing question concerning the health
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The bill specifies that the label use one of three formats: a label containing the USDA symbol with explicit indication of GMO utilization; a label explicitly indicating GMO utilization; or a label containing a QR code that provides the consumer with the product’s ingredients (Lugo). Although companies could use the first or second label formatting options, it is more likely that they will use the third option because it does not deter consumers from their products. Food companies are aware of the generally unappealing regard for GMOs amongst many consumers. Therefore, it makes sense that they would use the most inconspicuous of the three label formats to inform consumers about GMO utilization. Because food companies could potentially withhold GMO utilization information through the use of a QR code, the current implementation of GM foods violates the third formulation of the categorical imperative of Kantian ethics. Simply put, consumers’ autonomy is not being respected because consumers are not explicitly informed of the presence of GMOs in the foods they are eating. Regardless of the many benefits GM foods has provided, a Kantian would argue that we need to respect people’s autonomy under all circumstances. Because the use of the QR code label is an exception to informing consumers about GMO utilization, the first formulation of the categorical imperative of Kantian ethics is violated. The implementation of the QR code label not only violates the first and third formulation of the categorical imperative, but the second formulation of the categorical imperative as well. By utilizing the QR code as the label that informs consumers, or
The bill specifies that the label use one of three formats: a label containing the USDA symbol with explicit indication of GMO utilization; a label explicitly indicating GMO utilization; or a label containing a QR code that provides the consumer with the product’s ingredients (Lugo). Although companies could use the first or second label formatting options, it is more likely that they will use the third option because it does not deter consumers from their products. Food companies are aware of the generally unappealing regard for GMOs amongst many consumers. Therefore, it makes sense that they would use the most inconspicuous of the three label formats to inform consumers about GMO utilization. Because food companies could potentially withhold GMO utilization information through the use of a QR code, the current implementation of GM foods violates the third formulation of the categorical imperative of Kantian ethics. Simply put, consumers’ autonomy is not being respected because consumers are not explicitly informed of the presence of GMOs in the foods they are eating. Regardless of the many benefits GM foods has provided, a Kantian would argue that we need to respect people’s autonomy under all circumstances. Because the use of the QR code label is an exception to informing consumers about GMO utilization, the first formulation of the categorical imperative of Kantian ethics is violated. The implementation of the QR code label not only violates the first and third formulation of the categorical imperative, but the second formulation of the categorical imperative as well. By utilizing the QR code as the label that informs consumers, or