University Sustainability Initiatives
Former Congressman Speaks on Truth in Labeling
Jim Bates, a former four-term Congressman from California who has been active in promoting legislation that would require labeling genetically engineered foods, spoke at a public awareness event in Dalby Hall.
The event was cosponsored by the Department of Sustainable Living and the Truth in Labeling Coalition, which has mobilized to deal with the "elephant in the grocery cart" — the genetic engineering of over 70% of processed food.
"The use of genetically modified organisms in our foods is the most irresponsible use of science in modern times," said Chris Wege. "The fact that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't insist on testing it for potential harm to human health and fertility, and the Environmental Protection Agency does not insist on examining the potentially harmful impact to our environment is a crime."
Mr. Bates, who authored the Stratosphere Ozone Protection Act and obtained passage of over fifty articles of legislation, spoke about his efforts as a lobbyist to navigate the Truth in Labeling Act through Congress. He and an increasing number of scientists and activists feel that such food poses a danger to human health and that consumers have the right to know whether the food they're eating consists of genetically modified organisms.
Other speakers included Derek and Nancy Casady, general managers of the Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market and longtime activists for healthy and natural food. They founded the Truth in Labeling Coalition with Mr. Bates.
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