HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0883.034 2006-2008
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Murashige, Laura
From: robyn@hiscitech.org
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:57 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: Igibson@hiscitech.org; 'Joy Gold'
Subject: Testimony HB1577
Attachments: HB1577 HICounty Council.doc
Please see attached testimony.
Robyn Finkenkeller
Hawaii Science & Technology Council
735 Bishop Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 'y
808-536-4670 main ~n a
808-536-4680 fax Z Z
robyn hiscitech._org s
www, h iscitech.org
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1/24/2008
lScTech
HAWAII SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
Res. 463-08, A Resolution Supporting HB 1577 hdl to Temporarily Prohibit the Growing of
Genetically Modified Coffee for a Period of 5 Years, at the same time, Permit Research in an
Environmentally Secure Facility
Hawaii Island County Council
January 24, 2008, 8:30 am
Position: Oppose Resolution
Chair Hoffman and Members of the Hawaii Island County Council:
My name is Lisa Gibson and I am the President of the Hawaii Science & Technology Council, an
industry association representing companies in Hawaii existing and emerging science and tech sectors
- agricultural biotech, ocean sciences, aerospace, astronomy, energy, environment, life sciences and
creative media. The HSTC is committed to growing these sectors so that we can create living wage
jobs and diversify our economy. Commercialization of research is the foundation for growing an
innovation based economy and is critical for the Hawaii's future.
Res. 464-08 and HB 1577hdl are constructed in a way that gives the impression that allowing
genetically engineering research in an environmentally secured facility offers a compromise to a
temporary prohibition on genetic engineering research for coffee. This is not the case. The research
and development process is lengthy and costly, and must include field-testing to see how the crop
grows in a natural environment. Bringing research through lab work, greenhouse, field-testing and
commercialization can take as much as 15 years and millions of dollars. It requires a commercial end
user to invest in the product. In order for lab research to be greenhouse and field-tested, both USDA
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Hawaii's State Department of Agriculture
must approve permit applications for field testing.
The interests of some coffee growers who do not support genetic engineering as a tool are already met.
Please do not support legislation that sends a chilling message that Hawaii does not support research,
science and technology. Mahalo and thank you for the opportunity to present testimony.
Lisa Gibson
President