HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.390 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
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From: Mondy Jamshidi <mondyj @gmail.com> 2013 JUL - I PH 3: 58
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 11:40 AM
To: Mondy Jamshidi
Subject: Support the ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code 1983
To Whom it May Concern,
As a legal expert in the field of sustainability, I also have a background in biology and nutrition and, from this
viewpoint, I have carefully considered the argument to support the ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of the
Hawai'i County Code 1983 from the angles of ecological environment, human health and economy. The
negative consequences of genetically modified crops significantly outweigh what it provides for the people of
the State of Hawai'i.
We have laws in precedent to protect the fragile ecosystems of our beautiful Hawaiian islands and this should
apply to all threats including scientific testing of GMO crops and the consumption of such products and
consumers must be given the choice to support with awareness the use of their dollars for food and products.
Consider that the plant strains we currently have are free, open-source and are a function of millennia of natural
research and development, designed to work within innumerable factors of the greater environment. Many of
the agricultural issues humans face now and recent past are due to the indisputable fact we live in and rely on
ecosystems and not monocultural human systems, which alone are not sustainable or completely self-contained.
GMO crops remove sovereignty, independence and often are being found to disrupt the very integrity of health
and wellness on the planet, now and potentially for generations to come. It is simply not fair nor intelligent to
support such products which were not developed with holistic intention, sound scientific study or true
accountability should "something go wrong". The mistakes of the current generation may produce irreversible
damage to not only kama a'ina but unknowable uncontrollable effects across the world.
Indeed, there are several disadvantages to the use, production, open outdoor research and consumption of GMO
crops, including economic threats.
1. Organic and conventional farmers are in great risk of contamination of GMO pollen what takes away their
right to grow non altered food. There are no actions taken by the GMO growers to keep their neighbors from
being contaminated.
2. Eating the new GMO crops might bare health risks, but no studies are done on the unwanted side effects what
makes it very risky to consume this products as the FDA does not require any testing on the safety of GMO.
3. The use of pesticides herbicides and other agricultural chemicals is highly increased in GMO field with
unknown effects on our environment, resources and health providing unknown risks to our soils and the health
of our soil organisms which are vital to food production and our ecosystem.
4. If artificial DNA strains have crossed-over in our natural food supply, the loss of purity is irreversible and we
might loose important food crops due to contamination.
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1 Ref. Date JUL 0 2 2011
5. Economically-speaking, the USA agriculture looses more and more costumers in Asia, EU and Russia due to
GMO contamination, this other nations are not accepting to purchase
untested and potential harmful GMO products. The European Union and other countries are not allowing GMO
for human consumption because of the unknown dangers of digesting these altered products, the safety of these
new inventions haven't been proven, but many studies show possible harmful impacts of eating GMOs.
Studies at the University of Michigan from the 2000's indicate that organic farming methods can produce
enough food and are more economical options for farmers in developing countries.
Dr. Vandana Shiva gave a lecture in 2008 regarding the social dangers of BT cotton marketed to Indian
farmers-- the loss of crop and damage to their finances was so great, farmers were committing suicide in the
hundreds because they were shamed and could not take care of their families. The following countries have
banned in part or in all the use of GMO products: Italy, Austria, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Greece,
Portugal, UK. Switzerland,Norway, Australia,New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Algeria, Brazil and Paraguay. The following states or represented through municipalities have banned GMO:
Vermont,North Dakota, Montana, Colorado and California.
It seems educated representatives from the whole aware and civilized world have been banning GMO. I think it
would be wise and prudent to also consider the actual and inferrable dangers to the use of such products and not
wait. I am in full support of support the ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 in
favor of awareness about GMO until generational research can provide otherwise.
6. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) occupy a vast territory of unknown affects on human biology in
both acute and long term senses. The science and technology used to achieve GMO's provide a far less
empirical outlook towards production than the national public realize, and what could be considered more
paramount are the dangers of contamination. It is virtually impossible to keep non-GMO crops from
contamination from crops with Genetic Modification. Often-times, mass-produced foods do not event taste as
good as organically farmed varieties. Who knows how GMO may affect taste or other somatic interactions in
the human body.
It is my professional opinion that we must shift the paradigm from control-based agriculture to methods which
are alignment-based, cooperative with the greater environment utilizing permaculture and organic farming
methods. We can't out-think every plague or climate issue but we can fortify and restore our ecosystems to
withstand problems through diversity and cooperation. We must utilize technology to mitigate he rampant
degradation of systems, not add more threats. Our current path, if remained unchecked does not reflect
American democratic values, certainly not generational indigenous values, and it is not a responsible choice if
we feel any responsibility to our children or for species of children to come. We must think in the path of
bioremediation and that everything we do now has an effect for the long-term future. I firmly support the
ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 in favor of awareness about GMO.
Mahalo,
Mondenna Jamshidi, MA GLSD, LEED Green Associate
Mondenna Jamshidi, MA G.L.S.D.
Global Leadership and Sustainable Development
Envision Hawai'i Vice Chair
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