I want to thank all the past and present members of the GMO committee, members of the public, Steve Hajik Ag commissioner, and Chuck March, from the California Farm Bureau, who attended the meetings faithfully. I am writing and speaking as a freelance journalist and advocate.
As a child growing up in Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” plus ice and snow,” it was common knowledge that skating on thin ice was dangerous and deadly. I believe genetically engineered crops are also dangerous and deadly
I may not be able to attend the public hearing scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., so I am writing concerning the proposal being made to the Board of Supervisors by the Genetically Engineered Crop Advisory Committee.
The proposal concerns commercial genetically engineered crops. Why doesn”t the proposal also address non commercial GE crops?
Many people who have studied the subject have told me that it is not possible for GE crops to be present and coexist with non GE crops. The non- GE crops will be in danger of being contaminated.
Top scientists of the world have not reached conclusions about this. How can we go ahead an allow GE crops that may forever change all the crops?
How can the Board of Supervisors have the responsibility of being the final answer on unresolved issues? The board members do not know enough and have not studied as much as the committee members.
Internationally known scientists are still studying whether or not these GE crops are safe. How can we allow them when the international scientific community is still debating the subject?
Original committee member Sequoia Lynn Franklin researched Internet sources that shared the latest breaking research in France about GE plants that we must read. BT corn does effect the health of mice that eat it.
When a supervisor who heard information he never heard before calls that information “a lie,” that supervisor is simply showing ignorance and denial.
Committee member Steve DeVoto researched how the General Accounting Office of our government proposed rules to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which that department has not yet followed. The government has not reached consensus on GE crops. How can the supervisors expect this committee to reach meaningful consensus?
We already see what is happening to Earth because of greenhouse gases. This planet operates under cause and effect.
I urge you as a board to wait and see until the research concerning the safety of GE crops is solid and comprehensive on a worldwide scale.
If you accept this proposal our county will be skating on thin ice. The future of our agriculture diversity, organic markets and the health of our animals and citizens will be in danger of falling through the ice of contamination; changing life in Lake County forever.
Please ban GE crops until they are proven to be safe. Mother Earth will have the last word in the end. I remember a television commercial for butter from when I was a child. It”s message was, “It”s not nice to fool Mother Nature!”
Joan Moss is a Lake County writer, musician and swimming instructor.
