HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0728.010 2000-2002 DATE: September 6, 2002
TO: Nancy Pisicchio, Chair
FROM: Robert Chase, PhD, Tropical Agronomy/Soil Science
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION TO RESOLUTION 236-02 OR ANY OTHER ANION-
WHICH WILL LIMIT THE PRODUCTIVE USE OF GMOs
Thank you for the opportunity to give testimony on this resolution.
There has been a substantial amount of misinformation about GMOs in recent months
and years which has created a fear among the otherwise uninformed population about
GMO foods, not unlike the fear in the last century of going faster than a horse could run
(one would "burn up"). It is imperative that we do not make decisions based on either
non-scientific or anti-scientific rumors being spread.
I understand the marketing "up-side" to declaring the Big Island or any of our crops
"GMO-free". This would appeal to a small but incredibly vocal segment of the
population. However I believe that the "down side" to this or any other action that limits
the gainful use of GMOs for the production of any food or food product will have afar-
reaching and very negative impact on the future of agriculture in Hawaii. I am not
concerned about the money that can be made by people working on GMOs as a "High-
Tech business" but, rather, the support that any such action would give to those who are
misguided enough to create negative rumors or blow reality out of proportion. There is
little question that, without GMO research for improved food production, we will not be
able to meet the demand for food as our population soars beyond 10 billion. The idea of
controlling GMOs (or supporting those who would limit GMO research by scaring the
population away from the results of this work) is not unlike forcing all farms to be
"organic". While there is a marketing advantage to "organic" farming, the high amount of
input required for what is often a reduced production and alower-quality product requires
that prices charged are significantly higher. While it would also sound nice to be able to
say that all farms in our county are "organic", like eliminating GMOs, these well
meaning decisions could destroy our ability to compete in the short-term and would
threaten our ability to feed ourselves in the long-term.
The marketing advantage of a "Non-GMO"product can still be obtained by marking each
product as such in the manner now used by the organic farmers.
Please, do not restrict the responsible use of GMOs in any way, even if it is only for
"show".
Thank you, ~ v2/`v'
/`7
Robert Chzlse
937-9175
comm. Nos
File No.
~~~~t
Fief. To:~ ~ 0 ~~QZ
Ref. Date