Proposition 37

Labels can both help us or scare us. They're full of useful information and frightening facts. Labels are full of words that tell us what we're using, buying or eating. However, words are also manipulative and deceitful and can scare us into believing false things. One of the most useful and necessary type of labels are those put on our food and produce. Food labels are useful and necessary for telling us what we're eating and what's in the food we're about to put into our bodies. But many food products and chemicals that are used to produce our food are given large, scientific names that can automatically scare people away from the food despite being chemically harmless. Proposition 37 would require all genetically engineered food to be labeled as such. If I was eighteen and could vote in this upcoming election, I would vote against Proposition 37 because these labels will do more harm than good because it will simply scare buyers away from foods, cost even more money to label the foods, and increase the average family food bill.

Like any proposition, Proposition 37 has many pros and cons. The labeling of genetically engineered food would allow all buyers to know what they're actually buying and in turn allow them to make the decision of whether or not to purchase it. On the other hand, the labeling of genetically engineered foods would simply  cause more problems than before. Labels can be deceptive and frightening. Big words can automatically turn people away. Loopholes will most likely be found and no one likes to be deceived. In addition, these new labels would cost more money. More money would have to be spent in order to label these genetically engineered foods and therefore the cost of some food would increase, increasing the average amount a family spends on groceries. Lastly, these extra labels aren't necessary. Already today, we have organic foods sold next to inorganic ones and almost every buyer chooses whichever is cheaper without even looking at the labels. New labels would just scare more people into spending more money than necessary. Buyers should already trust all the other food safety laws that have been passed and have no fear of being harmed by any chemicals used to produce that food. We do not need to spend more money on labels a majority of people won't even pay attention to and the minority of people will simply fear them. We do not need to spend money just to unnecessarily scare each other. I believe Proposition 37 is making a big deal out of nothing.

Labels on food tell us many things such as nutritional facts, amount inside, and what is it we're buying. They're very helpful, but can also scare people. Recently, with the growth of technology and scientific advancements, we have been able to genetically engineer our foods. Proposition 37 would require these genetically engineered foods to be labeled as such. I believe these labels are unnecessary. If I was eighteen I would vote against Proposition 37 because these labels would just cost the state and its families more money, and cause people to freak out.