To: The Colorado State House, The Colorado State Senate, and Governor Jared Polis
Colorado Demands GMO Labeling
I urge you to support HB 1192 and other measures to label genetically engineered foods in Colorado.
Genetically engineered food is unlabeled, untested, and virtually everywhere. This means that consumers have no idea whether or not the food they are buying is genetically engineered. Furthermore, there have been no long-term studies done to test for potentially harmful effects on humans. Consumers have a right to know if the food they are consuming is genetically engineered and safe.
Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food allows people to make informed choices about what they purchase. With labeling of genetically engineered foods, consumers can ensure the nutritional health, quality and methods of production are aligned with their principles and standards. We all deserve to have that knowledge when we decide what to eat.
The GMO industry would have you believe that requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods places an undue financial burden on them. This argument is factually untrue. Studies have shown that the increase in cost to the consumer is negligible.
As representatives of the people of Colorado, I urge you to sponsor, support and pass HB 1192.
Why is this important?
In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration began paving the way for approval of genetically engineered (GE) salmon. The first transgenic animal approved for human consumption, GE salmon would open the floodgates for GE cows and pigs, which biotech companies are waiting in the wings to finally commercialize after years of research and development.
Not to be outdone by the FDA, this year the U.S. Department of Agriculture has already approved three GE products. First the department announced it would allow unrestricted growing of GE alfalfa, which could destroy the organic dairy industry and block farmers from the export market since many countries won’t accept GE-contaminated crops. The USDA has also “partially deregulated” GE sugar beets and approved a new type of GE corn that is designed to be facilitate ethanol production.
The biotechnology industry has genetically engineered a fish that grows at twice the normal rate, so it can get to market sooner and make more money, faster.
The FDA doesn’t even do its own testing of genetically engineered animals: it relies on information provided by the company that wants approval. And because GE salmon are being considered as a new animal drug, the process isn’t focused on what happens to people who eat genetically engineered animals. So on top of the health concerns posed by raising salmon in crowded factory fish farms that rely on antibiotics and other chemicals, the FDA could be adding the unknown risks of GE salmon to the mix.
It’s up to us to demand that our legislators take action by supporting and passing HB 1192 and other measures to label genetically engineered foods in Colorado.
This is a joint effort between Food & Water Watch Colorado, MoveOn Denver Metro Council and MoveOn Boulder Council.
Link to HB 1192:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2013A/csl.nsf/MainBills?OpenFrameSet
(type in "1192" in the search box. The URL keeps changing)