The genetic food fight
Since the dawn of time humans have had WYSIWYG food – when you sat
down to eat, What You Saw Is What You Got. But you can’t be as sure as
your ancestors were about what’s on your plate, because scientists are
genetically modifying edible things in an ever-growing number of ways.
County Council reserves right to restrict GMOs on Maui
A resolution introduced by Sol Kaho’ohalahala states the Council’s
position but carries little or no legal weight against a potential new
state law.
Genetically Modified Hawai‘i
Scientific American takes a look at the GMO industry that is growing in size on all Hawaiian islands
GMO ban approved
The Hawaii County Council has banned genetically modified coffee and
taro from the Big Island. Opposition to genetically modified taro has
been clear all along, council members said. Councilors listened to
nearly seven hours of testimony ranging from the technical to the
emotional. Supporters of the ban spoke of fears that genetically
modified crops might be field-tested and released here, lowering the
value of specialty coffee crops, adulterating and contaminating food
sources, and creating health ramifications that have never been fully
studied.
Are GMOs Safe?
Genetically altered, or genetically modified, organisms, have been
around since 1976, when a company called Genetech was established,
exploring the “commercial potential” of recombinant DNA technology.
There has been active debate about this ever-expanding technology ever
since. One of the concerns is the potential, largely unknown, effects
of these never-before-in-existence altered plant or animal genes.
Support GMO-Free Taro legislation
Biotech firm grows on Molokai
Monsanto, a global company specializing in biotech corn seed crops, has
entered a 99-year lease for 1,650 acres of land, of which about 1,200
are suitable for farming. While the expansion means more productivity
for Monsanto, as well as more jobs for the island economy,
environmental activists — which include the Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow
and Hui Ho’opakele Aina — continue to cry out against the growing
presence of genetically modified crops on Molokai. They say the
modified crops have not been adequately tested for long-term effects
and could cross-pollinate with organic crops.
