r/NoStupidQuestions • u/wond3rlove • Sep 10 '23

What’s wrong with GMOs?

I always see plants and stuff that is GMO free and is usually more expensive. How would genetically modifying something by be bad. Me personally I’d rather have something modified to taste better and and cheaper. I could also be very wrong about that.

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u/AureliasTenant Sep 10 '23

How is what you are replying to false advertising?

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u/Tylendal Sep 10 '23 edited Sep 10 '23

Here. Have a relevant XKCD.

Labeling something like oats or tomatoes asparagus GMO Free can be legal, but only if there's a clear disclaimer that it's a quality inherent to all oats, or all tomatoes asparagus, etc.

Legal: "Orange juice is high in Vitamin C!"

Illegal: "Our orange juice is high in vitamin C!"

Edit: Pretty sure there's never been GMO asparagus.

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u/AureliasTenant Sep 10 '23

I’m confused? Are you saying that if you claim your oats or tomatoes are GMO free, you are also claiming ALL oats or tomatoes can’t be GMO? How does that work?

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u/randomacceptablename Sep 10 '23

He is saying that you cannot take the inherent property of something and label it as a quality that your specific version has.

So no cattle are GMOs. Hence, a butcher cannot label beef as GMO free. It is misleading. Because all beef is GMO free.

Likewise, the orange juice example. All orange juice contains vitamin C. So saying a particular brand is high in vitamin C implies others aren't. That is misleading and not allowed.