In the same vein . . .

Researching for my B[e]S paper. Interesting passage about consumer sovereignty:

"Then again, if consumer sovereignty were anything like a reality, certainly the government would be diligent in protecting consumers' interests. Sadly such is not the case. Instead, the government places strict limits on consumer sovereignty, especially where any substantive consumer sovereignty might collide with corporate interests. Consider, for example, how shabbily the government treats consumers in regulating the food industry. In deference to corporate interests, government officials routinely refuse consumer demands to label genetically modified food or to inform consumers which processed food contains irradiated ingredients. . . . Because of their need to sell a product that people do not want, 'industry leaders [in the biotechnology industry] view consumers . . . as hostile forces threatening their economic viability.' The government allows industry to process meat in unsanitary conditions. It proposes to allow industry to use radiation to disinfect feces. Consumers, of course, would prefer having the meat packers prepare their produce more carefully rather than irradiating feces. After all, poop, even if irradiated, is not a particularly appealing ingredient. Withholding such knowledge helps to ensure the consumer's loyalty."

Makes me want to be a farmer. Or just not eat ever again.