HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.044 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time g1004 By di
Date
My name is Mary Ellen DeVincent and I am a registered voter in Keaau,Hawaii and ow a small farm. I am
here today to testify for Bill 79 to prohibit Genetically Modified Organisms.
GMOs work by artificially engineering crops to become resistant to certain chemicals and exposures that
would harm or kill them doesn't. GMOs are supposed to improve yields and protect the environment. But
this system is failing,as the weeds and pests targeted by GMO technologies have mutated and developed
resistance to crop chemicals and Bt toxin.GMOs are creating crop-destroying'superweeds,'and'superbugs.'
As a result,pestilence and disease is on the rise due to GMOs,which spells eventual disaster for our food
supply.(http://grist.org)
The American people are being deceived by Monsanto and other biotechnology companies that claim GMOs
are not harmful to the human body. A 2004 study published in Nature Biotechnology has shown that genetic
material from GMOs actually transfers into the DNA of living bacteria in the human intestines,where it
reproduces insecticides indefinitely. GMOs are believed to be the cause of many gastrointestinal ailments
including"Leaky Gut Syndrome". (http://www.anti-usa.org)
A study by French molecular biologist,Gilles-Eric Seralini provides solid evidence showing rats fed GMOs
sprayed with glyphosate,the toxic Roundup herbicide,developed serious tumors that took over their bodies.
Another study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences had similar results,with the
addition of organ failure as a symptom of GMO consumption.(http://www.naturalnews.com)
According to a comprehensive, 16-year review of chemical use by researchers from Washington State
University's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources,since GMOs introduction in 1996,
herbicide use has increased by 527 million pounds and has created"Super Weeds"contrary to the claims by
Monsanto and others in the industry,an industry that makes their profits from the sale of these herbicides.
To make matters worse, Roundup has been found to persist in soils and waterways contaminating our water
supplies.(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
GMOs damage organic and native plants and other species with crosspollination,by passing their traits onto
non-GMO crops and plants,destroying their very integrity permanently. GMOs are also responsible for killing
off bees, bats,butterflies,and other pollinators,whose bodies are unable to handle the onslaught of altered
DNA and chemicals characteristic of GMO technologies.
(http://www.naturalnews.com/035511 insecticide bees collapse.html)
GMO chemicals deplete soil minerals,and destroy beneficial bacteria which protect crops from pests,viruses,
and other threatening elements. Glyphosate,the active component in Roundup,also does not biodegrade,
which means it is continually accumulating in the environment without restraint,perpetually altering soil
composition and contaminating our natural resources.(http://www.psrast.org/soilecolart.htm)
For these reasons mentioned,I am against GMO foods and respectfully request the County Council to support
the banning of GMOs on the Island of Hawaii. Thank you for your consideration.
To learn more about the dangers of G MOs,also visit the Institute for ResponsibkTechnology:
htto://www.responsibletedmology.ordgmo-dangers and
http://www.naturalnews.com/038792 GMO toxicity digestion cancer.htmlMxa2TCulllT9
Comm. N 4 '71. q 7
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Ref. Date MAY 4