Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have become synonymous with the chemical and biological alteration of the modern food supply since their introduction in the mid 1990s. GMOs promote desirable plant genetics, which results in savings for both farmers and consumers. Beyond this, the use of GMOs in crops results in the reduction in herbicide application on crops, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
GMOs are a way of artificially fortifying certain food products, but do not necessarily result in any appreciable health benefits to consumers; the genetic modifications tend to make the crop more robust and profitable for farmers.

Though the FDA regulates food from genetically engineered plants and imposes a legal duty on food producers to protect consumers, concern over possible negative health effects has, nevertheless, culminated in an anti-GMO movement that has drawn a wide base of support, from individuals to corporate food giants, like Chipotle, MacDonald’s, and others. In response, consumers and others have channeled their opposition into a campaign called “Just Label It,” which seeks to create mandatory FDA labeling of GMO-containing food. Proponents of GMOs counter-argue that requiring labeling will be an expensive markup on food prices, which consumers will be forced to pay out of pocket at the grocery store checkout. Currently, the FDA does not require labeling of a product if that product does not pose any specific health risk to consumers.

Congress, perhaps noting the stricter treatment of GMOs in Europe, recently passed a bill that removes state control over GMO product labeling and leaves that discretionary power in the hands of the federal government. Whichever way the government chooses to regulate GMOs, it must do so with the perspective that total food demand worldwide is expected to increase, meaning producers, consumers, and governments must balance competing considerations of safety, sustainability, and efficacy.