Quote:
Originally posted by wonderwench
SM - your comments about the public being able to have a say in what products are introduced neglect to key concepts: Property Rights and Voluntary Transactions. Products fail when nobody buys them - the public does have an important voice in what is produced via their pocketbooks.
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Yes, but only
after the product has been released. That's fine in most cases, but let's say, for example, that my cornfield is adjacent to yours (or even a few miles away) and you decide to plant genetically engineered corn - which you indeed have the right to do because you presumably own the property on which you planted it. However, the genetically engineered pollen will inevitably come into contact with my plants and eventually contaminate my entire crop - perhaps for many seasons to come. Is that not a violation of my property rights? If I am vehemently opposed to genetically engineered foods, does it not undermine on my right to self-determination? This is the type of thing I'm talking about when I say that the citizens have no say in what corporations foist onto society and the environment. In short, while people may vote with their wallets on whether the product
remains on the market, they are more or less powerless to prevent its seeing the light of day in the first place.