And, as you point out, generalizing and regulating all GMOs as a group makes no more sense than regulating all pesticides as a group.
I wouldn't have a problem if we distinguish GMOs into different classes and put the resulting class on the label.
But I can't think offhand of any examples, other than GMOs, where the legal status is "you may do X, but you have to label it appropriately".
That's not really true. Ingredient lists require the disclose of many substances that are added to new foods. People have a right to know whether their food contains aspartame.
Examples of things that don't require labeling: which pesticides and antibiotics were used, and in what amounts; what diseases and parasites may have been present; what the storage and transportation conditions were.
I would also support requiring big producers to provide that information. Products could have a barcode that can be scanned and the information could be provided via the internet.
Ingredient lists require the disclose of many substances that are added to new foods. People have a right to know whether their food contains aspartame.
This is a good point. But it still stands in contrast to non-disclosure of everything that's not an ingridient: processes, pesticides, etc. Produce like fruit or raw meat doesn't have any "ingridiends".
Why the difference? I lean towards thinking it's in large part historical, political, and accidental, rather than reflecting any real difference in what's appropriate or required.
Basically: How does one pursue the truth when direct engagement with evidence is infeasible?
I came to this question while discussing GMO labeling. In this case I am obviously not in a position to experiment for myself, but furthermore: I do not have the time to build up the bank of background understanding to engage vigorously with the study results themselves. I can look at them with a decent secondary education's understanding of experimental method, genetics, and biology, but that is the extent of it.
In this situation I usually find myself reduced to weighing the proclamations of authorities: