KINGSTON – Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D, Kingston) announced on Thursday his support for legislation that calls for labeling of genetically modified foods. He was joined in Kingston by members of various food advocacy groups.
Cahill:
“They should know what’s in their food”
Vermont passed a similar law in May 2014, which is scheduled to take effect this July. Industry groups are currently suing Vermont in federal court to overturn the legislation. Connecticut and Maine have also passed measures, which only take effect when one more northeast state enacts genetic labeling.
At the same time, Congress is now attempting to pre-empt state food labeling laws with legislation nicknamed “DARK Act,” or Deny Americans the Right to Know.
Over 60 foreign nations have mandatory labeling for genetically modified food including the European Union. Thirty-eight nations have banned GMO crops altogether.
The controversy over genetically modified foods stems from DNA molecules which have been tinkered with by scientists, and placed on the market without conducting any long-term health and safety studies. Critics call these products “Frankenfoods,” after the fictional undead monster run amok.
“We’re not talking about banning anything, or changing what you buy at the grocery store – unless you want to,” Cahill explained. “I see no harm whatsoever in creating an opportunity for shoppers to know exactly what it is that they are buying, and then decide if it’s something they want. We don’t have to argue the science; other people can do that. We don’t have to discuss whether we believe it is healthy or not. All we have to do is give every individual a chance to do that themselves. They should know what’s in their food.”
Having an objective definition of what GMO is, is equally important as letting the public know, Cahill added. Right now, there are several definitions out there, he said.
“Frankenfoods” are just the beginning. Food giants are now developing “Frankenbugs” and “Frankencritters,” such as GMO salmon, recently approved by the FDA.
Liana Hoodes, co-chair of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA-NY) Certification Management Committee.
Hoodes warned about the first open-air release of a genetically modified moth, scheduled for this summer in Genesee, NY by Cornell, may threaten broccoli and cauliflower and cabbage crops. “The risk of this contamination to humans and the environment are unknown, because the health and environmental risks have not been full studied. These trials need to be stopped,” she said.
