HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0882.021 2006-2008
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Murashige, Laura _
From: ann kobsa [autofreeann@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:32 PM 2068 JON 23 Afl 9 17
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us colilr,
Subject: Protect Coffee and Taro, Jan. 24 i OUNI%~ F :;::%^,AII
Aloha Hawai'i County Council,
I am a former research biologist and subsistence farmer in Puna. I grow taro to feed myself and it is one of my
favorite foods. I also, in my former life as a biomedical researcher, did quite a bit of genetic engineering as a tool
for discovery. I am absolutely opposed to the use of genetic engineering of our food plants. It is not that I think
it is evil, though I think it can be dangerous if used for the wrong reasons (which tend to be the reasons that it is
used for, eg, profit) or in the absence of adequate information (which also tends to be the case). I feel that
resource-intensive genetic engineering is wasteful, and we'd be much better off if we put our limited resources
into promoting sustainable, low-input farming using traditional methods and varieties. In the few cases where
technology can offer improvements in our ability to feed ourselves in the long-term, them we should adopt those
technologies. Genetic engineering is, in my opinion, not one of those technologies. Please support the
moratorium on testing and growing of GMO taro. Please pass Resolution-08.
Sincerely Yours,
Ann Kobsa, PhD
Koa'e, Puna, Hawai'i
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