Suppose I buy some bread. The label will list "wheat" as an ingredient. There are many varieties of wheat with various genetic differences between them, produced in part by directed breeding. The label won't say which variety was used, unless the genetic engineering was done by a particular set of modern technologies, in which case it must say it's GMO.
As we go on in this century the amount of genes that will be different with GMO's is likely to increase. What kind of shelling point would you propose to decide when people should have to add a label?
but because people have real preferences for e.g. 'not eating unnatural food' even if they believe it's good for your health.
In the spirit of informed consent I don't think that's reason to withold information from them.
On the other hand, I'd like government to support many endeavors that are beneficial for everyone as long as they remain secret
I think that transparancy and free flow of information is vital to dealing with risks arising from new technology. I don't want government burocrats who think it's best to keep new technology that has an effect on people secret because the people might not like it.
What kind of shelling point would you propose to decide when people should have to add a label?
When a new food hasn't passed safety demonstrations comparing it to old varieties. Either by demonstrating that it's chemically the same (i.e. I don't care if it had an extra gene causing it to grow quicker); or by studies in people, just like for new medicines (the kind of studies that have to prove safety, not to prove efficacy).
Of course, lots of foods introduced throughout history and which keep being introduced today aren't up to these standards; they jus...
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: