“Most Americans accept science in agriculture not as something that is creating a monster but as something that is making food better and safer.”
— tagline from the “A Closer Look” news segment on ABC World News Tonight, July 26, 1999
There are plenty of people who take issue with this sweeping statement; 500,000 of them have already signed a petition being circulated by the Mothers for Natural Law of the Natural Law Party. The petition was presented to legislators during the National Summit on the Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods held in Washington, D.C., on June 17 of this year. The campaign for mandatory labeling of all genetically engineered foods is still seeking signatures to the petition, the wording of which is printed below. To sign the petition, contact the campaign online at http://www.safe-food.org/-campaign/petition.html or via e-mail at mothers@natural-law.org or call 515/472-2040 and have them fax a copy of the petition to circulate among friends and co-workers.
Consumer Right to Know & Safety First Campaign Petition to Secure Mandatory Labeling of all Genetically Engineered Foods
New substances are being introduced into our foods via a technology called genetic engineering. A growing number of scientists and physicians are voicing concern over probable health and environmental risks from these foods. Genetically engineered foods are currently being produced and sold in the U.S. without proper labeling or safety testing. This petition upholds the right of consumers to make informed choices about the foods they eat and feed their families.
We, the undersigned, as citizens of the United States, strongly urge the passage of legislation and policies to mandate the clear and accurate labeling of all foods derived from, processed with, containing or consisting of genetically engineered organisms, including related agricultural applications.
More information on the labeling campaign and the general issue of genetic engineering in the food supply can be found through the following online sources:
http://www.ucsusa.org/agriculture/ag.docs.html
http://www.k2net.co.uk/~savage/ef/earthfirst.html
http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/shag/
http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~rone/gedanger.htm
http://www.naturallaw.org/issues/genetics/ge_hazards.html
http://www.peg.apc.org/~acfgenet/
http://www.indians.org/welker/genome.htm
http://www.solbaram.org/articles/clm505.html
http://www.netlink.de/gen/home.html
http://www.psagef.org/indexgen.htm
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alto/boycott.html
http://www.safe-food.org/welcome.html
http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/geindex.html
http://www.greenpeace.org/~usa/reports/biodiversity/roundup
http://www.greenpeace.org/~comms/obio/geneng.html
http://www.indiaserver.com/betas/vshiva
http://users.westnet.gr/~ogian/biotech.htm
http://www.med.upenn.edu/~bioethic/genetics/articles.html
This article appears in August 6 • 1999 and August 6 • 1999 (Cover).