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Americans Support Mandatory Labeling of Food That Contains DNA

HughPickens.com writes Jennifer Abel writes at the LA Times that according to a recent survey (PDF), over 80% of Americans says they support "mandatory labels on foods containing DNA," roughly the same number that support the mandatory labeling of GMO foods "produced with genetic engineering." Ilya Somin, writing about the survey at the Washington Post, suggested that a mandatory label for foods containing DNA might sound like this: "WARNING: This product contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The Surgeon General has determined that DNA is linked to a variety of diseases in both animals and humans. In some configurations, it is a risk factor for cancer and heart disease. Pregnant women are at very high risk of passing on DNA to their children."

The report echoes a well-known joke/prank wherein people discuss the dangers of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide" also known as hydrogen oxide and hydrogen hydroxide. Search online for information about dihydrogen monoxide, and you'll find a long list of scary-sounding and absolutely true warnings about it: the nuclear power industry uses enormous quantities of it every year. Dihydrogen monoxide is used in the production of many highly toxic pesticides, and chemical weapons banned by the Geneva Conventions. Dihydrogen monoxide is found in all tumors removed from cancer patients, and is guaranteed fatal to humans in large quantities and even small quantities can kill you, if it enters your respiratory system. In 2006, in Louisville, Kentucky, David Karem, executive director of the Waterfront Development Corporation, a public body that operates Waterfront Park, wished to deter bathers from using a large public fountain. "Counting on a lack of understanding about water's chemical makeup," he arranged for signs reading: "DANGER! – WATER CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN – KEEP OUT" to be posted on the fountain at public expense.

9 of 351 comments (clear)

  1. Re:It's a little early by mpe · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh, I assumed it was DNA as in GMO... but it's just DNA... that makes a lot of food!

    Possibly more interesting to know which foods are free of DNA. Which would indicate they either had nothing to do with any living organism, are highly processed or both!

  2. Damn Meant to include this by Crashmarik · · Score: 4, Funny

    From one of the sites

    http://foodrevolution.org/blog...

    I refute the claims of the biotechnology companies that their engineered crops yield more, that they require less pesticide applications, that they have no impact on the environment and of course that they are safe to eat.

    That's nice he ought to let the farmers know they can buy cheaper seeds and still do as well.

    If it seems like I am laughing at these people and the Euros who seem to think it's in their interest to pay more for food, I am.

  3. Related to another recent study by serano · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's also GAME-C (Group for Atomic Material Exposure Control), a group which has launched a campaign to force the pharmaceutical industry to label medicines comprised partially or entirely of atoms.

  4. McDonald's... by nicodoggie · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...can finally advertise as 100% DNA free!

  5. American Clay Pidgeon by hduff · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since college, I have been encouraging people to help save the American Clay Pidgeon, colorfully-marked creatures "fragile as eggs" that a slaughtered every day and left to rot in fields at the hands of wildly enthusiastic gunners.

    --
    "I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it." : Dogbert
  6. Re:It's a little early by zwede · · Score: 3, Funny

    Possibly more interesting to know which foods are free of DNA.

    Since all their stuff tastes like cardboard my money's on McDonalds.

  7. Re:Warning Slashdot Contains by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh no. I think that trillions in research should be spent on this.

  8. Re: Link to the study by Dragon+Bait · · Score: 4, Funny

    [M]any smokers lied when looking for coverage, saying they had quit.

    Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times. -- Mark Twain

  9. Danger 10,000 ohms! by caseih · · Score: 4, Funny

    The story about the water fountain sign reminds me of the sign at the Foucault pendulum at the uni where I studied. They had problems with people touching the pendulum, stopping it, etc. So they put up a sign that said, "Danger, do not touch! 10,000 ohms." Haven't had problems with people messing with it in many years!