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P couNGLL.
RE5 50''13
Murashige, Laura C-C.Mug_ i77
From: Diana Reeves [westhamfan @aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 9:59 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for HB174 HD2 Labeling genetically engineered foods
Submitted by:
Diana Reeves (who visited Hawaii 2 months ago)
2 Windsor Court
Farmington, CT
My name is Diana Reeves and I am a mother of 3, aged 18 to 25. My husband, my two daughters and I
suffer from autoimmune disease and food allergies. We were all diagnosed around the same time. My
youngest daughter was 14 when diagnosed. A freshman in college now, her food must be prepared
separately, in an isolated area of the basement of the dining hall. Life is complicated for us. We can't eat
out I can no longer read a newspaper because every time I touch the GMO soy ink, I develop a blistery
rash on my face. My children have grown up eating GMOs without my knowledge or consent. I have been
reading studies that link GMOs and the chemicals they are sprayed with to a very long and very disturbing
list of health problems, including autoimmune disease. Had I known then what I know now, I would have
fed my family very differently.
I would like to share a few things I've learned that I find disturbing:
There has never been an independent, long term safety test done on any of the genetically modified
foods in our food supply.
GMO Bt corn, which produces Bt Toxin pesticides in every cell, is an EPA Registered Pesticide. It kills
insects when they bite into it. Food shouldn't kill. If this corn were on the shelf at Home Depot, you would
see the pesticide registration numbers on the label. I've attached the EPA pesticide registration
information to this testimony. Unfortunately, the EPA has no jurisdiction over food labeling so people are
unknowingly eating toxic pesticides.
With the introduction of GMO soy, Monsanto successfully petitioned the FDA to increase the allowable
residue level of their chemical herbicide, RoundUp, on soy. The allowable level of Glyphosate, the active
ingredient in RoundUp, was increased to a level THREE TIMES higher than the level that was previously
determined to be safe. Glyphosate is systemically absorbed by the plant and does not wash off.
Numerous lab studies have shown that glyphosate is genotoxic, endocrine disrupting, neurotoxic, is linked
to inflammatory bowel disease and a carcinogen. Without a label, people are unknowingly eating
glyphosate absorbed by GMO soy, as well as GMO corn, canola& sugarbeet.
The chemical companies that are genetically altering and patenting our food will tell you that America has
been eating GMOs for almost 20 years and we are fine. But doctors now say that this is the first
generation of children that are sicker than their parents. America is not fine.
We should have the freedom to choose whether or not to consume these toxins and as such, it must be
on the product label. Please support the labeling of genetically engineered food in Hawaii. Without
labeling, there is no accountability. Thank you.
Reference links:
http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/BOS/GE+Crops+Committee/6.+GM+Crops+and+Pesticide+Use.pdf
http://www.national-toxic-encephalopathy-foundation.orq/roundup.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd 1/biopesticides/pips/smartstax-factsheet.pdf
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has,"-- Margaret Mead
Comm: tip/ 1
Ref. To: rr
Ref. Date &&AR 2 8 an,
3/27/2013