HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.168 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK
COU 'T a rl" All
From: Vivienne Aronowitz [aronowitz @gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 5:20 AM 200 JUL — AN 36
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: GMO bill
As a resident and healthcare clinician on the Big Island of Hawaii, I write to strongly urge you to lend your support
to Bill# 79 and to any other legislation that restricts the growing, use, sale, or presence of GMO plants or
products on our island. Having studied this field professionally for many years, it is clear that GMOs pose a
serious threat to the health of people, the environment, and to our economy for generations to come.
I have worked as the with many institutions providing programs to improve the health of people on this island
including, Kaiser Permanente, Five Mountains, Head State, Hale Haola Hamakua, UH,Tutu's House to improve the
health of local residents, and have witnessed first hand the suffering, vulnerability, and resilience of these
communities—and —I have also witnessed first hand the positive impacts of programs such as Live Well—which
by introducing healthy diets to people suffering from ill health provided welcome relief from their debilitating
symptoms and conditions.
If you look into the industry claims regarding the "safety" of GMO products—these claims are largely
unsubstantiated or are outright inaccurate. GMOs in our pristine environment pose a danger to non-GMO crops,
as has already been made evident by the impact on the papayas of our island. The genetic modifications of GMO
foods have been shown to enter into human cells, alter the DNA, and compromise the genetic integrity of
humans. The increase of food allergies and sensitivities in humans—especially in children -is directly linked to
the ingestion of GMOs in food - Please see the film Genetic Roulette for more details on this subject. For this
reason, so many other advanced countries in our world ban or restrict the presence of GMOs.They apparently
have higher standards of health than America which, as you must know, is plagued by a host of food related
debilitating diseases (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, food allergies, etc.) I urge you to take a strong stand
against the powerful interests of industrial, economic, and political organizations and leaders that seek to
promote these GMOs that endanger our lives, health, and ecosystems. Recent information has shown GMOs to
be destructive to the bee population which is vital to the health of our agricultural system. We are all aware how
vulnerable the bees are already.
I ask you not only to support legislation that bans the growing of GMO plants on the Island of Hawaii and other
Hawaiian Islands, but to also support policies and laws that require the labeling of foods containing GMOs, and
that address the socioeconomic factors that lead low income populations to be most at risk of eating GMO
containing foods/products. These social and economic challenges call for your attention as well. In addition, I
also ask that you lend your support to supporting sustainable, organic, non-GMO based farming on the Big Island
of Hawaii which is more likely to assure the health of our'aina, people, and animals.
The following valuable resources will provide more insight regarding the dangers of GMOs and are worthy of your
attention:
Genetic Roulette - http://vimeo.com/50891146 - offers an excellent overview of the dangers and flaws of the
GMO industry and its claims
GMO free certification - http://www.nongmoproject.org/find-non-gmo/search-participating-products/
Scorpion Genes in Cabbage - http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2013-06-25/gm-cabbage-with-scorpion-poison-
coming-soon/
Mahalo for taking a stand to protect and malama the health of our people and 'aina by banning the use of GMOs
in Hawaii, al.'s. /6
Vivienne Aronowitz M.P.H., R.D, C.D.E, L.D. Comm. No.
Ref. To: P/ .s/TC-
Ref. Date 2 BM
7/1/2013