Honolulu City Council Members,
Thank you for allowing me to offer testimony today in support of labeling GMOs/GMO signage.
Although genetically modified crops are promoted as being designed fo indreased yields, drought-tolerance, salt-tolerance and ehanced nutritional properties, my understanding is that in actuality these crops are designed to be herbicide tolerant and insect resistant.
Corporations, like Monsanto, design the crops as well as the chemicle herbicidesthey are tolerant to, like Round Up, increasing their incentive to keep consumers in the dark about potential health risks.
Genetic modification of crops simplifies and reduces the labor needs of farmers but at a cost to the health of our bodies and environment. The chemicles these crops are designed to be sprayed with pollute our soil and water. These chemicles require those applying them to wear full body suits and respirators. These chemicles carry warning labels stating "a taste or drop can be lethel". The use of herbicides and insecticides has increased by hundreds of millions of pounds since GMO's wiespread introduction in 1996.
Along with GMOs perpetuating and increasing the use of harmful chemicles, scientists at the FDA have warned there is not sufficient research performed to ensure that genetic modification of crops itself is safe for humans to consume. Could these modifications be responsible for the increase in chronic illnesses and and food allergies?
If policy makers are not requiring GMO-manufacturers to prove their crops are safe with long term testing, like scientists urge, please allow us the tools to make informed decisions about what we eat and feed children by encouraging the labeling/signage of GMO in food. Let people be aware that this is a controversial issue. This is a health issue. Seperating and categorizing foods and products as GMO will result in people asking "what is GMO?" We need more people asking that question. For how prevelant and dominant GMOs are in our food, too many people have no clue what that means.
Kauai and Maui have passed pro-labeling bills which allows this issue to be debated and encourages everyone to educate themselves on it. Please do the same.
Jim, my neighbor at Haleiwa Farmer's Market, has a much more elegant and articulate plea http://eachoneteachonefarms.com/2011/12/08/my-gmo-labeling-testimony-to-hnl-city-council/