COM 0882.034 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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taro varieties flower but they rarely produce seed capable of growing into whole plants; and c) the insect pollinator that fertilizes taro flowers is not found in Hawaii. When we applied for federal funding to study the risk of accidental movement of foreign genes from GE Chinese taro variety Bun long to Hawaiian taro, we were turned down because the reviewers thought that the risk was too low to be measured. What would be the effect of a 10-year moratorium against genetic engineering research on Chinese taro? A lot can happen in 10 years, because invasive pests and diseases are entering Hawaii all the time due to the ease of global transportation. For example, there is a deadly disease found in the South Pacific called Alomae-Bobone that kills taro, and all Hawaiian taro varieties are susceptible to this viral complex. When this viral complex was accidentally introduced into the island of Makira in the Solomon islands, it took only 15 to 20 years before it caused the demise of taro production in several large taro-growing regions. Genetic engineering has had its greatest success in increasing viral disease resistance in many crops in which there is no natural resistance. In the case of papaya, genetic engineering for increased resistance to the papaya ringspot virus saved the papaya industry in Hawaii. This biotechnology has the potential to increase viral disease resistance in taro, but not if a 10-year moratorium against genetic engineering research on all taro varieties is passed. Let's compromise and work together to ensure the sustainability of taro production in Hawaii. Let's balance respect for indigenous culture with the need for pro-active, scientific research. For these reasons I respectfully oppose S13958, SD1, HD1 and Resolution 462- 08. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.