Labelling of foods as GM or non-GM helps inform consumers about the process by which the food is produced,but it gives no information about the contents of the foods or the risks/benefits that may be associated with certain foods.
Information explaining how food has been transformed as well as the resulting changes in food composition will enable consumers to assess these risks and benefits.
The FAO/WHO guidelines propose to label GM foods when they;
* Contain GM-organisms from which they are produced.
* Contain Protein or DNA resulting from GM technology.
* When they are significantly different from their conventional counter parts.
Labelling is traditionally used to assist consumers identify foods that may contain allergens or other potentially harmful substances.It also helps consumers in selecting certain foods based on their mode of production,on environmental(e.g organic),ethical or religious grounds.
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There's an interesting article at the Health Journal Club on how researchers in Australia back around year 2000 attempted to create a mouse contraceptive through genetic engineering and ended up, entirely by accident, creating an incredibly lethal version of mousepox (i.e. the mouse version of smallpox). If interested you can read on it here,
http://healthjournalclub.blogspot.com/2009/11/armageddon-bug.html
To mix and match genes across genus, phyla and kingdom in self propagating organisms released into the wild is the height of recklessness and hubris.
I appreciate the comment and thanks for the information
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