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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.197 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK CO ` 1 Y u„ A Il From: Dr. Jana Bogs [janabogs @gmail.com] 1013 JUL - I AM 9: 53 Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 4:24 PM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Testimony on GMO Bill 79 Attachments: GMO County Bill 79 Testimony July 2013.docx Aloha, Attached is my testimony regarding Bill 79. Please print and distribute. Mahalo, Jana D. Bogs, MS, PhD (808) 938-9888 (Hawaii) JanaBogs(@,gmail.com "Going Beyond Organic to Nutrition-Grown (TM) in The Quest for the Best, Most Nutrient-Rich Food Ever!" Introducing the Beyond Organic Growing System (BOGS)(TM) www.BeyondOrganicConsulting.com Comm. No. '?7/' 1g 7 Ref.To; P/ /' 0 3 Ref. Date JUL 2 7/1/2013 Re: GMO Bill 79 Testimony Date: June 30, 2013 From: Dr. Jana Bogs P. O. Box 198900, PMB 203 Hawi, Hawaii 96719 (a BeyondOrganicResearchcom 808-938-9888 info . Aloha Councilmembers, I hail from Hawi where I serve on the North Kohala Community Development Plan Agriculture Subcommittee. It is the position of this subcommittee that genetically engineered crops should not be allowed to be grown in this district and that any genetically engineered foods brought into this district should be labeled as such. I work as an agricultural crop consultant to farmers and gardeners, as well as a researcher focused on improving crop quality. I am a nutritionist (BS/MS) turned horticulturist (PhD) with the aim of growing the most nutritionally-rich foods possible. Genetically engineered foods are the antithesis of this goal. Not only are genetically engineered foods less nutritious, they are dangerous to the health of humans and animals. They should be labeled so that people can make an informed choice. Because I care, I work to inform my community about the dangers of GMOs. Many people in my community have signed petitions for GMO labeling. They do not want GMOs in their food supply or on this island. You have a duty to protect the people of this county. Please have the bravery to pass this bill to help get the Big Island free of GMOs. Besides doing right by the people, you will probably even become famous! Mahalo for listening and caring, Dr. Jana Bogs a, ,, 7 g' n a gr Laboratory rats fed genetically-engineered (GMO) feed and/or Roundup ®(R) The following section is an excerpt about GMOs from a book I have written about growing the most nutritious food possible: Something (Bad) has Happened to our Food Corn and soybeans are used to produce many food products and food additives. Approximately 70% of processed foods in your grocery store contain corn- and/or soy-derived ingredients, some hidden by deceptive labeling. What's so bad about that? Most of this corn and soy is transgenic. Transgenic organisms are also known as genetically-engineered (GE), genetically-modified (GM) or genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). These plants have been genetically engineered in a laboratory by the unnatural process of inserting genes from one type of organism, such as bacteria, into another organism, such as corn. This would never happen in nature. According to Jeffrey Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology, a scientifically published human feeding study involving GMO soybeans resulted in genetically modified material from these soybeans transferring into the intestinal bacteria and remaining active. Mr. Smith also relates that animal studies show transference of DNA (genetic material) from foods to organs in the body. Top researchers who have studied the effects of these genetically-engineered "foods" on laboratory animals found serious health risks associated with the consumption of these foods, such as tumors, lung damage, inability to reproduce, altered DNA function, immune responses commonly associated with diseases, significant organ disruptions, autistic-like behavior and early death. Humans are also reported to have had serious negative consequences from GMOs. Some people have allergic reactions to GMO soybeans, but not to non-GMO soybeans. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine asks physicians to advise patients to avoid GMOs due to associated health risks. The scientific article, A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health, was published by Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini and associates in the International Journal of Biological Sciences in 2009. The corn varieties used in the study are commonly available in the marketplace in food and feed. Besides causing massive tumors, the GMO corn damaged organ tissues, including liver, kidney, heart, adrenal gland, and spleen. F .W.. ` and a P yip ' w`w ,a s 1 .i . "',.:' ';'''.1;7,-;'4. . rf';-'''''' 4" 048r . ` ; ' r 14 , gar -7'' : ... rim rf *' i1.i«. � GNMC} ,. = 934 5 G Laboratory rats fed genetically-engineered feed (GMO), genetically-engineered feed cultivated with Roundup® (GMO+R), or Roundup® alone in water(R); showing large tumors. These photos are from the study, Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup tolerant genetically modified maize, performed by Seralini and associates, published in the scientific journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, in 2012. For more information see http://www.criigen.org (Photos used by permission.) Why is this type of production allowed? Why aren't these foods labeled as genetically engineered? Follow the money. You will find corporate money infiltrating politics in the greedy attempt to control food production, and hence, the people. A number of key players in GMO biotech companies, such as Monsanto, have gone on to hold influential governmental positions. For example, Michael Taylor was an attorney for Monsanto, and then worked for the FDA. While a the FDA, he created a policy allowing GM foods to be marketed without any safety studies. Subsequently, Michael returned to the ranks of Monsanto as vice president. You may find it interesting to know that, in at least one cafeteria for employees at a Monsanto factory, GM soy and corn have such a bad reputation that they are not served. The corporate whitewashing used to "sell" GMO to governmental authorities and the public claims that genetic modification is a good and necessary action to produce more and/or higher quality foods to feed a hungry world. Often the genetic modifications are an attempt to circumvent a disease condition in the plants. Unfortunately, what has been seen is other plant disease conditions, which used to be minor concerns, becoming more serious due tol the plants' overall diminished cellular integrity. I contend there is nothing wrong with the natural plant genetics; it is the soils which have not been properly managed to supply the plants with nutrients they need to be healthy and resist diseases. These same nutrients are needed in the plants for humans to be able to consume them and be healthy as well. The bottom line is we dot not need genetically engineered foods to feed the world; we need well grown food. Toxic agricultural pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals are also produced by large corporate interests. These toxic chemicals have no rightful place in our foods or on our planet. There are much better ways to manage our food production. According to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), genetic modification of crops has not increased yields. They cite a report sponsored by the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank, compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries which concluded, "GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change". Furthermore, the OCA states that scientists warn of potential dangers from the use of GMOs such as: • harming beneficial insects, i.e. honeybees • producing dangerous toxins • increasing the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides • creating super-pests, super-weeds, and new plant viruses • producing antibiotic-resistant pathogens • damaging soil fertility • contaminating organic and non-GMO crops Due to the inherent dangers, more than 40 countries require labeling of GMOs, including European Union countries, Japan and Australia. Some countries, including Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, France and Switzerland, ban production of GMO crops. In the USA, the home of genetic engineering, all attempts at getting the foods labeled as GMO have been quashed. The companies that produce this "Franken food" know that labeling would be their death knell. Corporations claim that the GMO foods should not be required to have labels because the crops are "not significantly different" from non-GMO crops. On the other hand, the corporations have received patents for their seeds because they are significantly different. It can't be both ways. An examination of the laboratory animal research studies indicates that the crops certainly are different in their ability to support health. What foods are genetically engineered? Soybeans—including edamame, soy milk, soy protein, soy protein isolate, soy oil, soy sauce, shoyu, tamari, soy lecithin, soy flour, tofu, tempeh, more items Corn—corn meal (i.e. tortillas, tortilla chips, corn chips, corn muffins, cornbread), corn flour (i.e. corn flakes), fructose, high fructose corn syrup (often in soft drinks and fruit juice blends), corn oil (may be hidden as "vegetable oil"), corn starch, modified food starch, dextrose, glucose, many more items Cottonseed oil--a commonly used food oil, i.e. for salad dressing Canola oil—another very commonly used cooking and salad oil Sugar—from sugar beets Papayas—some commercial varieties from Hawaii Squashes—some varieties of zucchini and crookneck squash Animal foods—Unless animals are raised organically, most beef, pork, chicken and eggs come from animals that are fed GMO corn and soybeans. Besides being feed GMOs, many dairy cows are given recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), which is GMO-derived, to increase their milk production. Most horse feeds also contain GM ingredients. Alfalfa—In 2011, genetically-engineered alfalfa was allowed on the market. Alfalfa constitutes a large portion of feed for horses, cattle, and other farm animals. It is also used for humans in nutritional supplements and as alfalfa sprouts in salads or on sandwiches. Nutritional supplements—i.e. vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), vitamin E (tocopherols), many amino acids (made with GM microorganisms). Did you hear the story about people dying from GMO tryptophan? In 1989, 37 people died and 1500 more became chronically ill due to poisoning from GMO-derived tryptophan. Sugar alcohols—erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol Artificial sweeteners—(These are not really foods, but since people eat them, I will list some here.) Aspartame, also known as NutraSweet®, Equal®, AminoSweet®, Equal Spoonful®, Canderel®, E951, BeneVia® (named as if it is beneficial for life). Dr. Joseph Mercola, a very well-known holistic physician, states that aspartame is the most dangerous substance in the food market. It accounts for most of the reportings of adverse food reactions received by the FDA; yet the "powers that be" keep it on the market. It is used in 6000 food products. Back in the 1980's when aspartame first appeared on the market, I tried it in a variety of food products. I started having gastrointestinal upsets and did not know why, so I kept a food diary. It took a while, but I came to clearly realize I was reacting,adversely to aspartame. I contacted G. D. Searle company, the manufacturer at the time (The company was since bought out by Monsanto.) When I asked the representative if they had had any complaints about their product causing gastrointestinal upset, she said, "No." I told her I would like to register a complaint about the product causing gastrointestinal problems. She then stated that they didn't take complaints. So, they had no product complaints because they didn't take complaints! Where else do genetically engineered items show up in our lives? Cotton—clothing, ropes, bedding. Many GM cotton farmers have skin, eye, and respiratory tract reactions. Thousands of grazing animals have died after grazing on GM cotton fields. Gasoline containing ethanol—This is touted as renewable energy, but abusing good farmland is an inefficient and environmentally-unsound way to provide energy. Besides, this fuel is bad for engines. It breaks down over time and gums up the works. Pharmaceuticals—Examples include insulin, vaccines, interferon, spermicidal antibodies, and antithrombin (blood plasma protein). The latter is produced by goats that have been genetically engineered. This is called "pharming". Is it getting spooky yet? A number of people have died due to problems encountered in GMO pharmaceutical trials. One of the major genetic modifications was performed to increase the tolerance of plants to doses of herbicide (weed killer) that would otherwise kill the food-producing plants. This herbicide, glyphosate, also commonly known as Roundup®, is manufactured by Monsanto. It is the largest-selling agricultural chemical in the world. "Roundup Ready®" genetically-engineered seeds are also manufactured by Monsanto. The Roundup Ready® plants allow the use of more glyphosate than would be possible without the genetic modification, so we have much more glyphosate in our environment and in our foods. The use of large amounts of glyphosate is resulting in "super-weeds", which are no longer suppressed by glyphosate and have become much harder to manage. The feeding of these glyphosate-treated, GM crops is associated with high rates of infertility and spontaneous abortions in farm animals and, most likely, in humans as well. It has also caused abnormal aging in beef cattle. The carcass of a two-year old, which should be prime beef, appears like that of a 10-year old cow. What does this imply for humans? Glyphosate is not just on the outside of a plant. It cannot be washed off. It is absorbed into the plant tissues, so it is eaten by the plant's consumer. The method of action of glyphosate to kill weeds is that of chelation of needed mineral elements. The glyphosate is absorbed by the weed and complexes with minerals, making these minerals unavailable to the weed's enzyme systems. Then the weed dies. The problem is that similar action also happens in the genetically-engineered food plants. The glyphosate-chelated mineral elements are not available for use by the plant or the consumer of the plant. The minerals still appear on a food analysis, but they are not usable by consumers. Here we have the opposite of good nutrition! How pervasive is the GMO food problem in the USA? Unfortunately, it is extremely pervasive, for example, 93% of soybeans are transgenically modified, 86% of corn, 93% of cotton, and 93% of canola. How does one avoid these foods? Consume certified organic foods. Organic certification guidelines still disallow the use of transgenic materials, though some in authoritative positions would like to change that. You can also look for food labels which state, "non-GMO", "not genetically modified", "we source ingredients which are not genetically altered", or some similar language. GMO is not only pervasive, it is invasive. When the wind blows, GMO pollen is blown onto neighboring farms contaminating their crops. This is particularly troublesome if one is trying to grow organically, or just non-GMO. Monsanto has even prosecuted farmers for "using their GMO technology without paying for it" when it was due to pollen drift contamination, not because the farmer wanted to use it! Allowing these GM crops out into the environment is like opening Pandora's Box— once loose, how does one recapture the GM pollen and prevent it from contaminating the entire world? For more information on transgenics, also known as genetically-engineered (GE), genetically- modified (GM) or genetically-modified organisms (GMO), see http://www.criigen.org, www.OrganicConsumers.org, www.ResponsibleTechnology.org and www.SeedsOfDeception.org. Copyright © 2013 Dr. Jana Bogs