HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.012 2012-2014 PM-rc
COUNTY CLEF; Comm. �'�
Testimony supporting Bill 79 COUNTY OF HA All
I recently watched a video presentation narrated by D ,p z i award-winning
geneticist, author of 52 books, and professor emeritus aatth'ee Uh ve tr british Columbia.
Here is an excerpt from commentary on the video, emphasis mine.
As Dr. Suzuki explains, the problem with genetic engineering has to do with the fact that GE
plants and animals are created using horizontal gene transfer (also called horizontal
inheritance), as contrasted with vertical gene transfer, which is the mechanism in natural
reproduction.
Vertical gene transfer, or vertical inheritance, is the transmission of genes from the parent
generation to offspring via sexual or asexual reproduction, i.e., breeding a male and female
from one species.
By contrast, horizontal gene transfer involves injecting a gene from one species into a
completely different species, which yields unexpected and often unpredictable results.
Proponents of GE assume they can apply the principles of vertical inheritance to horizontal
inheritance, and according to D. Suzuki, this assumption is flawed in just about every
possible way and is "just lousy science."
Genes don't function in a vacuum — they act in the context of the entire genome. Whole sets
of genes are turned on and off in order to arrive at a particular organism, and the entire
orchestration is an activated genome.
It's a dangerous mistake to assume a gene's traits are expressed properly, regardless of
where they're inserted. The safety of GE is only a hypothesis, and in science, initial
hypotheses typically end up being wrong. GE foods are promoted as if they've been found to
be safe, which is the farthest thing from the truth.
Why this rush to apply this science before testing it? The simple answer is, those promoting it
stand to profit enormously from it.
Dr. Suzuki goes on to say, "The rush to apply these ideas is absolutely dangerous because we
don't have a clue what the long term impacts of our manipulations is going to be."
Why the rush when so much is at stake? We have a chance to be the voice of prudence until we
have the convincing evidence of safety required by the precautionary principle.
We, on the island of Hawaii, have a unique opportunity to address all safety concerns and at the
same time enormously enhance the value of our agricultural industry. The ocean provides us
significant buffering from cross pollination. We can serve as a refuge for biological diversity.
We have an opportunity to create great value in the integrity of our agricultural products and a
promising future for our youth. Please, please support Bill 79.
Susan Horie
P.O. Box 1936
Honokaa, HI 96727
Comm. No �1 i• i 2--
Ref. To:Ref. date 7e5Mrc....
1.4 2013