Durbin Opposes Mandatory GMO Labeling

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has a question for those demanding mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods: where’s the evidence to support your position?

A small group of pro-GMO labeling protesters at Durbin’s Chicago office last month asked for him to vote against a bill which would stop individual states from enacting mandatory GMO labeling.

Durbin finds it odd that the same people angered by the scientific consensus on climate change being ignored are themselves ignoring the lack of evidence backing up claims that GMO foods are unsafe.

"Here's my position on this: I believe there's global warming. The reason I believe it is 98 percent of the scientists tell me so. That's good enough for me. When it comes to GMOs, I've said to the people that are fearful of them and who want to be labeling, show me the science behind your position, and if you can show me that kind of scientific support for your position, I'll be listening. They haven't produced it yet."

Durbin has said before a GMO label implies the food is unsafe. As for allowing states to pass their own mandatory labeling requirements, he says differing standards would present a problem. Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine have passed GMO labeling laws.

A proposal for an Illinois labeling requirement was made by State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) in 2013, but the bill never made it out of committee.