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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0271.195 2012-2014 Page 1 of 2 Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK COUNTY: HAWAII From: Sabina [saacred1 @yahoo.com] 1013 JUL " I AN 37 Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 7:29 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Bill 79 testimony Dear Council and Community Members, There are so many concerns from both pro and no GMO sides. And while I am in opposition of GMO's until we understand their long term effects better, there are some cases where this does not apply. GMO papaya has been studied at length by our Japanese friends. They have done the work for us and proven it is safe. The Japanese are wise to want to know what they are approving PRIOR to allowing it on their lands. We should follow suit. Initial independent studies on GMO corn for example, clearly show it is NOT safe. These studies show adverse side effect for lab animals, pigs and cattle. These are livestock intended for human consumption. This can not be safe for us. It is an unfortunate situation, especially for those who now feel themselves dependent upon those GMO's. There are alternatives and they must be used until we are fully content that each individual GMO's introduced is safe. The Hamakua Agricultural Plan calls for a moratorium, in essence, prohibits growing GMO until we know the impact they will have on our islands. Based on the Precautionary Principle we must proceed cautiously until GMO's have had proper, long term, independent study. A great many in the EU have done such studies. Can the majority of the EU be wrong to ban these products? GMO is a fledgling technology and it is exceedingly irresponsible to utilize it fully until we understand it fully. And we do NOT understand it fully. Initial independent studies have shown adverse affects in rats, cattle and pigs. Should we not heed this warning? Do I want to see a farmer or rancher who is currently reliant upon GMO technology hurt financially? Or our economy here in the islands harmed? No. But I also do not want to provide the farmer/rancher with the GMO potential to unknowingly harm an unsuspecting consumer tomorrow so that he may survive today. I do not want an economy that thrives at the expense of an unknown multitude and certainly not at the expense of our islands natural diversity. Comm. No. 277. 19'g 7/1/2013 Ref.To: u P'sZ 013 Ref. Date Page 2 of 2 Can these farmers and ranchers prove the safety of the GMO products they intend to introduce and use? I am not talking about the GMO corn in your corn flakes that is not our battle. I am referring to actual cultivation of GMO on hawaiian soil. Those are not risks we can afford to take. I feel Hawaii is a particularly fragile environment. It is a microcosm far too tolerant, like a benevolent and gracious hostess, of ill mannered guests (like the most recent coqui). If we indiscriminately allow GMOs in the islands, without fully knowing and understanding their long term impacts on our health, environments, insects and animals, we may find ourselves alleviated of choice altogether. We currently coexist with a myriad of unwanted and destructive species from a long list of introductions that have proliferated beyond our control. Is it not wise to err on the side of caution? Can we learn from other countries instead of reinventing the wheel? There is great cause for alarm here, especially if these crops can render us unable to raise anything but GMO products. Take a look at Canada and the rapeseed. Must we learn for ourselves? Or can we simply look to our neighbors and see the problems they are facing and heed their warnings? I, personally, do not want to slowly, field by field, force diversity and non GMO foods into extinction. Food security does not exist in dependence. If you are one of the many who already feel dependent upon this product, to the exclusion of any other alternative then you are not a freedom farmer at all. Thank you. Sabina Blessington sabina The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" 7/1/2013