A campaign to ban genetically modified crops on Hawaii is sponsored by Margret Wille. Wille studied at UH Manoa and Washington University in St. Louis. She spoke Hawaii’s County Council urging, “act before its too late.”
Margaret Wille
In May 2013 a bill in Hawaii was proposed to ban all genetically modified crops (G.M.O.s) on the island. The bill would ban all GMO’s on the island except for corn and papaya. If violated, the planter would pay $1,000 in fines per day. Because of the attention on GMO’s scientists have been researching the negative and positive affects of genetically modified foods in our diets.
Many are worried about diseases, illnesses, and GMO’s effects on children. A study conducted in the Philippines stated, “A test field of rice genetically engineered to address Vitamin A deficiency among the world’s poor (Harmon 4)”. Poor places such as the Philippines should want to feed their children the most nutritious foods since malnutrition is common among third world countries. The woman who sponsored the bill, Wille warned her colleagues, “What mattered was not the amount of food produced, but its the quality and sustainability of how it was grown (Harmon 4)”. Big business such as General Mills and Trader Joe’s stopped putting GMO’s in foods and advertise that they don’t sell genetically modified foods.
General Mill’s has stopped making Cheerios genetically modified
Trader Joe’s advertises the use of non GMO products
These big business decisions can influence their buyers views on genetically modified food, either decreasing or increasing sales.
An alarming report done in a Russian journal said that hamsters on a diet of genetically modified soybeans were unable to reproduce after three generations. The journal indicates that the consumption of genetically modified foods creates animals to become sterile.
Positive effects on GMO’s were discussed in the article but not often focused on. On the island of Hawaii, the island’s papaya supply was almost whipped out due to a disease. A genetically modified trait saved the islands papayas. A genetically modified trait saved the islands papaya. A positive effect of GMO’s are that they can help plants be resistant to attacking diseases.
Rainbow Papaya native of Hawaii, genetically modified to be resistant to disease
My opinion on GMO’s
After reading the article which posed both sides of GMO’s, I believe that we should not commercially produce genetically modified foods. If GMO’s are sold in stores commercially they should clearly be labeled for customers to view.
In the article Derek Brewer stated, “Once you change something like this, there is no taking it back (Harmon 8)”. I feel as though the risks outweigh the benefits. The study on the hamsters not being able to reproduce after three generations because of a GMO diet is alarming. In my opinion we should study the result on GMO and their effects on humans to back up the bill on banning them. It would be safer to stay away rather than suffer the negative outcomes.