GMO Press Release https://sites.google.com/site/sierratestsite/gmo-press-release
Connecticut Sierra Club Takes on Genetically Modified Foods - see full details below.... Welcome to the Connecticut Sierra Club State Legislative webpages. On these pages, we’ll give you: -a guide to easy w -a catalog of important bills in the state Legislative session Current Bills -an orientation to the Connecticut Legislature Orientation -a page of terms and explanations you may find useful Terms and Abbreviations -links to places where you will find more information Links and References, For information on national legislation visit the national Sierra Club webpages. www.sierraclub.org and search for issues you care about or click on the Take Action link. Why bother with the state legislature? In the US, we have governments at the municipal, regional (county), state, and federal levels. These webpages are about state government, and the state legislature in Hartford not the federal congress in Washington. In recent years, the states have led in creating environmental legislation. That’s where much of the action is. So you will find a wealth of information here on state legislation. For federal issues, visit the national Sierraclub webpages. We feel more than fortunate to be able to do our work here. We have an honorable legislature, which gets it right most of the time. Once in a while, they do slip and backslide a little. But, on the whole, Connecticut’s environment is in good hands. Yes, we need more funding for the DEEP. We have needed that for decades. We need more emphasis and protection in certain areas. But, in general, we are fortunate that we have both strong state laws and protective agency regulations. Our favorite debate topic is this: Resolved, the best friend the environment could have is a strong economy. We understand that environmental values go hand in hand with the economy; they complement each other, and work in synergy not in opposition. Our philosophy in working with the legislature is this: we are here to help them get it right. It’s a productive mindset, and we live in a state where this works. Time spent promoting a healthy environment in Connecticut is time well spent. If you are a Sierra Club member, feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, requests, advice, advisories, criticism, praise, encouragement, perspective, appreciation. But no rants, please. We’ve tried to include the most important informant on these pages-the information you need to take action. To do this, we’ve left out a vast amount of minute detail. Feel free to thank us for that. Martin Mador Legislative Chair, Sierra Club-Connecticut Chapter martin.mador@aya.yale.edu Connecticut Sierra Club Takes on Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) At the Connecticut Sierra Club Leader Retreat on January 19th, the Chapter voted our two priority issues for the coming year, one of which is to tackle the necessity for GMO labeling at the state level.Why this is an
environmental issue. First we must define GMOs. GMOs, or "genetically modified organisms," are plants or
animals created using the technique of genetic engineering (GE). GE merges DNA from two or more different species,
creating combinations that don’t occur in nature. Corn, soybeans, canola, cotton, sugar beets,
Hawaiian papaya, and a small amount of zucchini and yellow squash have been
genetically engineered for human consumption.
It has been estimated that GMOs are in at least 80% of processed foods
in the United States. Used in
agriculture mainly to allow higher use of herbicides or to allow the plant to
create its own insecticide, current use of GMOs has failed to fulfill the
promise of increased yields, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or
other benefit. Environmental risks associated with GMOs. At least one major
environmental impact of genetic engineering has already reached critical
proportions: overuse of herbicide-tolerant GE crops has spurred an increase in
herbicide use and an epidemic of herbicide-resistant "superweeds,"
which leads to even more herbicide use. This widespread herbicide use has also
caused a huge decline in milkweed in the Midwest, an essential food for monarch butterflies, whose numbers are also
in decline. The long-term impacts of
GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment they cannot be
recalled
Human health consequences. Research has found that an “inert” ingredient in a popular herbicide can kill human embryonic, placental, and umbilical cord cells. In one study, scientists found that even inert ingredients in the herbicide amplified the toxic effect on human cells—even at concentrations much more diluted than those used on farms and lawns. One specific inert ingredient, polyethoxylated tallowamine, or POEA, was more deadly to human embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells than the herbicide itself – a finding the researchers call “astonishing.” “Moreover, the proprietary mixtures available on the market could cause cell damage and even death [at the] residual levels” found on herbicide-treated crops, such as soybeans, alfalfa and corn, or lawns and gardens. The research team suspects that this popular herbicide might cause pregnancy problems by interfering with hormone production, possibly leading to abnormal fetal development, low birth weights or miscarriages. Health consequences definitely need more study. But these have been difficult as the companies holding the patents on the seeds have not been willing to release them for research purposes. Food labels fail to disclose GMO content. Although most Americans want to know if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs, powerful interests have continued to deny this information to the public. Prop 37, a voter initiative to require labeling in California, failed by a small margin after a $50 million industry campaign opposing it. Our Advocacy Partners. Sierra is working in concert with a vigorous and energetic group of food advocates in the state including GMO Free CT (gmofreect.org/) and NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association). We are also part of the community of advocates in 37 states trying to pass labeling legislation. Since there is currently little hope for federal legislation, our work is instead focused on the state legislatures. The goal is to pass similar bills in several states requiring GMO labeling of food for retail sale. This is not about regulation of agricultural practices, and it is not about impacting local agriculture in any way. Further, it is not about putting Connecticut agriculture at a disadvantage in any way. The Legislature. Bills requiring labeling will be introduced in both the Public Health and Children’s committees, one for labeling of foods for everyone, the other targeting food for babies and children. They will be included on the agendas for public hearings, and sometime after the hearing, the bills will be voted on in committee. They may then go to other committees for consideration. Finally, the bills will be voted on by the full House and Senate, then travel to the Governor for his signature. In summary, the Connecticut Chapter of Sierra Club supports Food labeling for GMOs because: · We believe Consumers have a right to know what’s in their food, especially concerning products for which health and environmental concerns have been raised, so they can make informed decisions about buying food for their families. · Mandatory labeling will allow those consumers with specific allergies or intolerances to identify and steer clear of food products that cause them problems. · Surveys indicate that a majority of Americans support mandatory labeling. · Over 60 countries have established either mandatory GMO labeling or outright bans. You can: -Contact your state Representative and Senator and ask them, as a constituent, for their support -Come to the public hearing and testify -Submit short testimony as an email message -Ask the Governor to support the billsAll of this is easy. We can show you how. But first you need to tell us you are interested. Send either of us a message and say you are onboard. We’ll show you how to do the rest. Your help is needed, welcomed, and necessary for this campaign to succeed. Contact the Connecticut Sierra GMO Committee - Peter McKnight and Marty Mador. We need help contacting legislators, writing letters to the editor, recruiting your friends, attending committee hearings and educating the public. Your presence is needed now! Legislative ChairMartin Mador, 203-281-4326 (h), 203-500-7245 (c) Email him here Peter McKnight: 203-257-6796 Email him here www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2012/03/researchers-gm-crops-are-killing-monarch-butterflies-after-all
www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-engineering www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=weed-whacking-herbicide-p
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