HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.449 2012-2014 Testimony in Support of Bill # 79 - PLEASE READ & REGISTER! Page 1 of 1
COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura COUNTY r r HA A11
From: Michelle Levey[mlevey @wisdomatwork.com] ` AN 9' 52
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 3:12 PM 2013 ' ..
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony in Support of Bill#79- PLEASE READ& REGISTER!
Subject:Support of Bill#79-BAN GMOs in Hawaii
Aloha County Special Council on Bill#79:
As a resident,farmer, 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 West Hawaii Workplace Wellness Co-Chair for NPAC(Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition of Hawaii
County) under the auspices of the Office of Public Health Studies,John A. Burns School of Medicine, as well as with the
North Hawaii Community Hospital,the YWCA, and The Five Mountains Foundation on local projects 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.
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,
Michelle Levey
Malama Ka'aina Farm, Hawi, North Kohala
mlevey @wisdomatwork.com
Comm. No. 4.77/. i Y9
Ref.To: P/AsM7G-
Ref. Date JUL 0 2 2013
7/1/2013