By Susan Rigali - Today I went to Starbucks to pick up ballot initiatives to collect signatures for the labeling of GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) also known as GE (genetically engineered). The same location that I was passing out leaflets against GMO’s 10 years ago with my daughter when security and police arrived and asked us to leave. We complied. But our efforts have persisted. As Americans we felt it our right to have this information, so do a vast majority of our fellow citizens.
The fact that biotech foods have remained unlabeled for nearly 20 years in the US reveals a deliberate refusal by regulatory agencies to serve the will of the people and instead occupy federal agencies in government to further corporate interests globally. An attempt by the biotech industry to OWN the worlds food through intellectual property has wrought the biggest global food fight against consumer, farmer, conventional and organic systems of farming while the cases are reeling in courts worldwide. Reluctantly allowing labeling in most of the developed world where activism in government is recognized, yet scuttling any attempts of groups and organizations for 20 years in this country speaks volumes about our so called democratic principles.
The lack of labeling is a concession to the U.S., it also declared that it “is not intended to suggest or imply that foods derived from modern biotechnology are necessarily different from other foods.” This is a legal contradiction! Either foods produced through mutation are substantially equivalent and therefore cannot be deemed intellectual property, or they are novel invention in which case are different due to constructs and should be labeled accordingly. We will work hard to insure consumers the right to vote on this matter. Not only with their pockets as organic industries soar, but with our voices and votes. Help reach the 850,000 signatures needed to get this on the ballot in California. Visit Label GMO or Label Genetically Engineered Food.
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Excellent article!