"If GM foods are safe, as the industry claims, then why the stubborn opposition to labeling?"

[Major Nikon]

48. Here's the problem with using political rather than objective criteria

Let's say the conventional farming industry wanted to attack the organic farming industry using a disinformation campaign and unnecessary regulatory burdens in the same way the organic industry is. Given their superior market position it just wouldn't be that hard. The first thing you would see were commercials publicizing how many people have been sickened and killed by organic produce through the use of animal feces. Once public hysteria reaches a sufficiently highly level, you'd see them pushing for labels requiring the identification of produce fertilized with animal shit. Undoubtedly you'd see a significant decline in the organic market share because who in their right mind would want to eat cow shit that kills people?

It's just not that hard to manufacture irrational fear among consumers. So while this is going to happen anyway, the government shouldn't be the ones to encourage it. That's why regulation does and should require objective standards rather than political forces.