HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.004 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
PI COUNCIL.
Murashige, Laura
(DOA 177
From: Merle Inouye [blackbird4aloha @hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 11:52 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Resolution 80-13 labeling
Attachments: Labeling Around the World.docx
Testimony for Resolution 80-13, Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food
Members of the Hawaii County Council:
My name is Merle Hayward and I am a food safety advocate. I support labeling GMOs in food
products. Everyone who eats in the U.S. is being left with no choice in food purchases,
essentially force-fed genetically modified organisms that are infecting the entire food chain
beginning with beneficial soil organisms, pollinating insects, farm animals, and ending in the
blood of our unborn fetuses, and our animal companions. I use the word forced because this
week, President Obama signed a bill containing a Monsanto rider that will confer immunity to
GMOs from federal or state courts. Monsanto tells us to buy organic if we are so concerned,
but only a few with expendable income can do so, and the rest are force-fed.
Coinciding with the mass planting and release of GMOs in American food products, these
diseases have risen dramatically: gastroesophageal reflux, inflammatory bowels, ulcerative
colitis, intestinal infections, Chrohn's disease, all degenerative diseases of the digestive track.
Diabetes is off the charts and GMOs have been shown to cause insulin resistance. Many
doctors treating treating autistic children have found notable improvements in their severe
intestinal problems when GMOs are removed from their diets.
Before you disregard the first long-term rat study by molecular biology researcher Professor
Seralini, that produced massive tumors, organ damage, early death and reproductive failure,
remember that MSG was put on labels as a result of rat studies. Also note that in the last five
years, U.S. birth rates are down 30 percent.
Respected plant pathologist, Dr. Don Huber reports high farm animal abortion rates with an
unknown organism found in aborted fetal tissue tied to RoundUp Ready GMO feed.
Recently in China, transgenetic antibiotic resistant genes from genetic engineering
manufacturing was found in river bacteria, in six major rivers, that eventually will pose a
significant challenge to humans. This is way beyond the initial predictions that GMOs would
escape into the environment and not be retrievable. This is beyond "superweeds" and gene
flow from canola into wild plant relatives.
Labeling GMO food products, including animal feed, will go a long way in allowing people to
choose what kind of health and environment they want. Sixty-two nations label GMOs. Please
vote for this resolution. Thank you.
Comm. No. 117- T
Ref. To:
Ref. Date IAA 9. S 2013
3/27/2013
Labeling Around the World
Currently, 62 countries around the world require labeling of genetically engineered foods.
Unlike most other developed countries-such as 15 nations in the European Union, Japan,
Australia, Brazil, Russia and even China-the U.S. has no laws requiring labeling of genetically
engineered foods.
Below is a full list of countries that require labeling (courtesy of The Center for Food Safety):
1. Australia 32. Lithuania
2. Austria 33. Luxembourg
3. Belgium 34. Malaysia
4. Bolivia 35. Mali
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina 36. Malta
6. Brazil 37. Mauritius
7. Bulgaria 38. Netherlands
8. Cameroon 39. New Zealand
9. China 40. Norway
10. Croatia 41. Peru
11. Cyprus 42. Poland
12. Czech Republic 43. Portugal
13. Denmark 44. Romania
14. Ecuador 45. Russia
15. El Salvador 46. Saudi Arabia
16. Estonia 47. Senegal
17. Ethiopia 48. Slovakia
18. Finland 49. Slovenia
19. France 50. South Africa
20. Germany 51. South Korea
21. Greece 52. Spain
22. Hungary 53. Sri Lanka
23. Iceland 54. Sweden
24. India 55. Switzerland
25. Indonesia 56. Taiwan
26. Ireland 57. Thailand
27. Italy 58. Tunisia
28. Japan 59. Turkey
29. Jordan 60. Ukraine
30. Kenya 61. United Kingdom
31. Latvia 62. Vietnam