Experimental "genetically modified" and "biopharm" crops have been grown in open fields across the nation. When bees, wind, rain, or birds spread pollen and seeds across the landscape, the drugs and chemicals travel right along with them to pollinate other plants or be eaten by wildlife. They could even end up in your breakfast.
Despite the threat of contamination, the consequences of experimenting with our food supply and environment are being hidden like the crops themselves. The biotech industry downplays the dangers and refuses to share any information -- such as the location of test fields. Likewise, the government has been more interested in protecting these companies’ profits than in protecting residents, the environment, or our food supply.
Isn’t it time for open public debate on this controversial industry?
View the film "Islands at Risk: Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i"
Islands at Risk – Genetic Engineering in Hawai’i looks at some of the possible impacts, including allergic and immune system responses from exposure to biopharmaceutical crops -- both in humans and in Hawai’i’s endangered species -- and contamination of regular food crops such as papaya, taro, coffee and corn with genetically modified versions of those crops.
Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) recount their attempts to prevent the patenting of taro, honored as an ancestor, and assert their right to the biodiversity of their lands which is at the heart of their ability to maintain health and survival.
The video also addresses the impact of genetic engineering on food security and the world’s future ability to feed itself.
Featuring Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff, Walter Ritte, Chris Kobayashi, Dr. Lorrin Pang, Nancy Redfeather, Isaac Moriwake, Melanie Bondera, Mililani Trask, Mark Query, Kalaniua Ritte, Hanohano Naehu, Una Greenaway, Jerry Konanui, Elisha Goodman, Eloise Engman, and Jeri Di Pietro. (Length 28:30) Copies of the video can be ordered from Na Maka o ka Aina for home or institutional use. (Note: Earthjustice does not receive donations from your purchase.)
Watch "Islands at Risk" online!
NEWS
Islands at Risk Film
Islands at Risk: Film Review - Organic Consumers Association (June 29, 2007)
Film Captures Diverse Audience - Kauai Garden Island (December 12, 2006)
Hawai'i Issues
Monsanto's plans for Kunia pose risk for other crops - Honolulu Star-Bulletin (April 12, 2007)
Genetically modified crops need scrutiny - Honolulu Star-Bulletin (April 6, 2007)
Monsanto buys former Del Monte site to raise biotech corn - Honolulu Star-Bulletin (April 5, 2007)
GMO taro pits Hawaiians against some scientists - Honolulu Advertizer (April 3, 2007)
Our Opinion: Honolulu Star-Bulletin Editorial - Environmental analysis needed for algae venture (Thursday, August 4, 2005)
Taro genetic work blasted - Honolulu Advertiser
Legislators focused on ag biotech (May 26, 2005 Honolulu Advertiser)
Lab-altered algae spur debate (May 25, 2005 Honolulu Advertiser)
Midwest Issues
"Pharmaceutical Rice in Missouri Threatens Food Supply" March 17, 2005
Friends of the Earth calls on USDA to veto proposed field trials in Missouri - March 17, 2005
Biopharm Roulette - by Brandon Keim, Council for Responsible Genetics (Z Magazine - January, 2003)
Biopharm Corn Contaminates Food Crop (November 22, 2002)
National/International Issues
Tainted Sugar: Genetically Engineered Sugar Beets - (Center for Food Safety - June 2008)
Battle lines drawn over GM sugar beets - (Environmental News Network - March 6, 2008)
Reckless USDA Policy Fails to Keep Biopharmaceuticals out of Food Supply: Coalition Calls on the USDA for Contamination Information Including Name of Drug or Chemical Being Withheld
Spermicidal Breakfast Cereal - Alternet 3/17/04
RESOURCES
Earthjustice - Genetically Engineered Biopharmaceutical Crops
Friends of the Earth – Biopharming
Center for Food Safety
Pesticide Action Network of North America
Union of Concerned Scientists - Pharm and Industrial Crops
Organic Consumers Association
GE Food Alert
GMO - Free Hawaii
REPORTS
Who Benefits from GM Crops? Friends of the Earth Report - January 2007
"Pharmaceutical Rice in Missouri" Friends of the Earth Breifing Paper - February 2005
Gone to Seed: Transgenic Contaminants in the Traditional Seed Supply – Union of Concerned Scientists (2004)
Sowing Secrecy: The Biotech Industry, USDA, and America's Secret Pharm Belt - Center for Science in the Public Interest June 2004
Biopharming: Questions and Answers - FOE
Genetic Engineering in the Garden of Eden – Claire Hope Cummings, Food and Society Fellow Pharmaceutical Rice in California. Find out about the potential health and environmental risks of engineering rice to produce "human" milk proteins in the rice fields of California. Executive Summary (PDF) Full Report (PDF)
Manufacturing Drugs and Chemicals in Crops: Biopharming Poses New Threats to Consumers, Farmers, Food Companies and the Environment - Full Report – Bill Freese, policy analyist, Friends of the Earth (July 2002) Exec. Summary
LITIGATION
Biopharm Field Tests
Biopharming: Information Access
USDA Sued for Overlooking Risks of Biopharm (November 20, 2003 - PANNA)
MEDIA SPOKESPEOPLE
Paul Achitoff, attorney, Earthjustice - Hawai'i, 808-599-2436
Bill Freese, research analyst, Friends of the Earth (Midwest issues), 301-985-3011 EST (Maryland)
Craig Culp (press) and Peter Jenkins (legal), Center for Food Safety, 202-547-9359
Skip Spitzer, program coordinator: Corporate Accountability and Industrial Agriculture, Pesticide Action Network North America, 415-981-1771
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