HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.519 2012-2014 J Yoshimoto
From: Russell Nagata <rtnagata @gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 11:39 AM
To: jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 79 Testimony
Attachments: Bill 79 Testimony.pdf
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Dear Councilperson Yoshimoto, co
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My written testimony for Bill 79 is attached and copied here.
Mahalo r i
Russell T. Nagata -
Dear Hawaii County Council,
Hawaii is the land of the `Aloha Spirit' where differences in many instances are settled with
face to face discussion and compromise. We all try to live as good neighbors and talking to one
another is always a good start, no matter how different you may be. Hawaii County Bill 79 has
polarized the community into those for and against. It is my hope the Hawaii County Bill 79 will be
withdrawn or killed by voting no so that real discussion can occur towards moving forward where all
sides can coexist and continue to farm in Hawaii. Adding amendments and changes to a bad Bill will
not make it better, nor can it be considered a compromise when so many will still be hurt. Only with
true dialog will we learn how best to live and work together in the Spirit of Aloha.
The basic tenants of Bill 79 are base on fear created by denial of scientific principles and this
fear is an emotion that resonates deep within the human soul. Bill 79 uses fear based on unfounded
'facts' to drive the message that GM Crops are detrimental to our wellbeing. I see people
repositioning blame on genetically modified crops as the causal agents for the ills of the world. Anti
GMO groups have stated that the rise of gastro-intestinal problems, cancer, allergies, animal death,
and a lot of other ills are due to the growing and utilization of GM crops. The truth is that over 1000
scientific studies have demonstrated that GM crops are not linked to these problems any more than
conventionally bred crops. If you want the make outrageous claims, plot the rise of organic food
production in the US to food allergies and you will see similarities in their rise. The same goes for
autism. Is this true? Definitely not true. Just because two events have similar response curves,
does not mean that they are related and have a cause and effect relationship. Correlation and
relatedness needs to be proven by good experimentation and proper analysis. It has been said that
extra ordinary claims need extra ordinary proof.
The most stated reasons given for why GM crops should not be grows are base on no
science, poor science, and misleading statements about GM crops. Some of these claims are: 1)
Increase Pesticide Use: Truth is that the use of Round-up has increase dramatically in response to
Round-up Ready crop adoption, but these have been offset by the dramatic reduction of other
herbicides used prior to adoption of GM crop technology. Also, Round-up chemistry has a milder
impact on the environment than those prior used herbicides. 2) Indian Farmer Suicide: The number
of annual suicides of Indian farmers has remained relatively stable over the period preceding the
adoption of GM crops and the period after adoption. Whether farming conventional bred crops or GM
crops, risk and challenges are a constant threat to economic stability and when farmers lose it all due
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to drought, pest or disease, a number choose to end there life. 3) French Rat Tumor Study: Have
been shown to be bad science by many scientist and scientific organizations worldwide. The strain of
rats used in this experiment normally develops tumors by age two no matter what they were fed. This
was the case for this study where the control, non-GM corn fed rats also developed tumors by the
conclusion of the experiment. 3) Death of Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar in GM BT Corn Field: It has
been shown that the monarch butterfly caterpillar survival rates in and around GM and conventional
corn crops were similar. It is true that given enough BT corn pollen, caterpillar mortality will occur, but
under normal field conditions those concentrations will not be achieved.
Technology is the reason that the United States of America is the leader in food production in
the world. In the past 150 year we have come from a country where one farmer could feed three
other to the present where a single farmer feeds more than 100 other individuals. GM crops are
helping to improve on this efficiency to better feed a growing world population. GM crops may not be
the solution at some point in the future, but for the present it is a critical feature of our agriculture.
I urge you to independently look at the scientific fact on the safety of GM crops from leading
scientific organizations. Look at their conclusions on the safety of GM crops for food and feed, their
reduce impact on the environment as compared to cropping practices prior to GM crop adoption,
economically viability of the production system that provides reasonably priced foods, and the great
potential that it provides in increasing the food and fiber supply into the immediate future. Also, look
at the endorsement by every major Medical Society, and even the major scientific societies of Europe
on the safety of GM crops. All have found that GM crops are not any more dangerous than
traditionally bred crops.
Please vote NO on Bill 79 so the people of Hawaii County can work together to formulate an
`Agriculture Plan' that will benefit nearly everyone. Bring back the Aloha Spirit.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Russell T. Nagata, PhD
90 Pelemana Place
Hilo Hawaii, 96720
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