KQED’s Forum: Prop. 37: The Food Fight over GMO Labeling

Wendy Goodfriend | October 6, 2012 | 1 Comment

A handful of GMO (genetically modified organism) Roundup Ready soybeans. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Should California require labeling of genetically modified foods? That’s the goal of Proposition 37 on the November state ballot. Supporters say GMO labeling will provide California consumers with valuable information, while detractors claim it will simply add unnecessary confusion and cost to the food system.

Original Broadcast: Thu, Sep 27, 2012 — 10:00 AM

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Host: Michael Krasny

Guests:

Belinda Martineau, principal editor and scientist at UC Davis who helped commercialize the world’s first genetically engineered (GE) wholefood and a supporter of Prop. 37
Bob Goldberg, professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at UCLA and author of one of the ballot arguments opposed to Prop. 37
Greg Palla, executive vice president and general manager of the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association and member of a family farming operation in its 100th year of business in California
Stacy Malkan, spokesperson for Yes on 37, Right to Know, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry”

Tags: California, GE, GMO, labeling, Monsanto, Prop 37, Roundup Ready

Category: farmers and farms, food trends and technology, health and nutrition, KQED, politics, activism, food safety, radio

About the Author (Author Archive)

I am the Senior Interactive Producer for KQED's online Food properties. I have designed and produced food-related websites and blogs for KQED including Bay Area Bites; Check, Please! Bay Area; Jacques Pepin's websites; Weir Cooking in the City and KQED.org's Food portal. When I am not creating and managing food websites I am taking photos of Bay Area Life and designing online navigation systems. My professional education and training includes: clinical psychology, photography, commercial cooking, web design, information architecture and UX . You can find me engaged in social media on Twitter @bayareabites and on Facebook at Bay Area Bites. I can also be found photoblogging at look2remember.

William Brooks

I have never heard Michael Krasny take such a biased position in any debate! 3/4 of the time was spent on the “No” speakers , the past history of deception on the safety from the same Chemical industry involve in this, was largely ignored (DDT, Agent Orange, etc), and the science from multiple sources was belittled. I suspect his “good friend” Bob Goldberg, had something to do with this.
The growing body of evidence suggesting that GMO’s pose a threat to our health and environment, it increases use of herbicide, pesticide (documented deformations in local fish and amphibians), and the immunity increase in weeds and pests that require even stronger toxins are all related to this issue, yet were barely mentioned.
Some of the $35 million that is being spent fighting labeling must have gone to people involved with this one sided debate, this is good as I will not be making any pledges to QED in the near future.