Skip to main content
Log in

Labeling Products of Biotechnology: Towards Communication and Consent

  • Published:
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recently, both consumers and producers ofbiotechnology products have insisted thatcommunication between the two be improved. The formerdemand more democratic participation in the riskassessment process of biotechnology products. Thelatter seek to correct misinformation regardingalleged risks from these products. One way to resolvethese concerns, I argue, is through the use ofbiotechnology labels. Such labeling fosters consumerautonomy and moves toward more participatory decisionmaking, in addition to ensuring that informed consentfrom consumers is maintained. Furthermore, althoughvoluntary biotech-free labeling in lieu of biotechlabels may uphold consumer sovereignty, the latterremains a more effective strategy for achievingethical communication between consumers and producersof biotechnology products.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Aylsworth, Jean D., “Nutrition Labeling Will Increase Consumer Awareness,” American Vegetable Grower 40 (January 1992), 40-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, Ellen, “Politics of Biotechnology Dictate Food Label's Fate,” Food Technology 47 (August 1993), 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruhn, Christine M., “Strategies for Communicating the Facts on Food Irradiation to Consumers,” Journal of Food Protection 58 (February 1995), 23-216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donohue, Cathy, “The Organic Debate,” Food andWater Journal (Fall/Winter 1997-1998), 41.

  • Fincham, J. R. S. and J. R. Ravetz, Genetically Engineered Organisms: Benefits and Risks (University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, Jeffrey L., “Biotech Food Labeling: Polite Hedging or Loggerheads?” Nature Biotechnology 15 (April 1997), 308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gourlie, Katherine E., “Food Labeling: A Canadian and International Perspective,” Nutrition Reviews 53(4) (April 1995), 103-105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groth, Edward, III, “Communicating with Consumers about Food Safety and Risk Issues,” Food Technology 45 (May 1991), 248ff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutt, Peter Barton, “Science for Responsible Regulation: Food Safety and Quality,” Focus 1988: Future Opportunities and Challenges Unique to Science: Proceedings of a National Symposium Honoring USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellows, rec. Joseph E. Kunsman, rapp. Anne K. Black, (1989), pp. 61-70.

  • Johnson, Deborah, “The Ethical Dimensions of Acceptable Risk in Food Safety,” Agriculture and Human Values 3 (Winter-Spring 1986), 171-179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauderdale, James W., “Industry's Responsibility to the Consumer,” The Journal of Nutrition: Symposium: Consumer Issues in Biotechnology: Genetically Engineered Foods 120 (April 1996), 1007S-1009S.

  • Pszczola, Donald E., “'Friendly' Labels: Responding to Consumer Desires,” Food Technology 47 (May 1993), 124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rollin, Bernard E., The Frankenstein Syndrome: Ethical and Social Issues in the Genetic Engineering of Animals (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1995).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, Clifford W. and Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., “Communicating Food Safety: Ethical Issues in Risk Communication,” Agriculture and Human Values 9(2) (Spring 1992), 17-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, Paul B., Food Biotechnology in Ethical Perspective (Chapman & Hall, New York, 1997a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, Paul B., “Food Biotechnology's Challenge to Cultural Integrity and Individual Consent,” Hastings Center Report 27(4) (1997b), 34-38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wixom, Charles W, “Labeling, Biotechnology are Top 1993 Concerns,” Food Technology 47 (February 1993), 30-34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, Linda, Patricia Kendall, Martha Stone, and Thomas Hoban, “Consumer Knowledge and Concern about Biotechnology and Food Safety,” Food Technology 48 (November 1994), 71-77.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jackson, D. Labeling Products of Biotechnology: Towards Communication and Consent. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 12, 319–330 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009551131536

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009551131536

Navigation