HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

81

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO determine a method of gathering data on genetically modified organism crop research projects in the State and their locations and make this data available to farmers in Hawaii.

 

 

WHEREAS, genetically modified organisms are living organisms whose genetic make-up has been changed by any method, including natural processes, genetic engineering, cloning, or mutagenesis and generally refer to living organisms at all levels where portions of the DNA from one organism is generally introduced into and made part of the DNA of another organism, for instance, to confer resistance to a specific organism or chemical; and

WHEREAS, genetically modified organisms have many uses, including improving crop strains by, for example, increasing resistance to pests and improving yields by shortening the growing cycle; and

WHEREAS, research on the potential effects on humans and the environment of genetically modified organisms is nascent and incomplete at best; and

WHEREAS, due to these uncertainties, there is widespread resistance to consumption by humans of genetically modified agricultural products for health reasons; and

WHEREAS, as a result, certain nations have refused to import agricultural products that have been genetically modified; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is home to a multitude of laboratory and open-field research projects involving genetically modified organisms; and

WHEREAS, many Hawaii farmers fear cross-contamination of their crops by genetically modified organisms; and

WHEREAS, the nature of genetically modified organism research projects and their locations in Hawaii are currently not public information; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the State and Hawaii's farmers to be informed of the nature of genetically modified organism research projects and their locations in Hawaii in order to safeguard their crops; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to determine a method of gathering data on genetically modified organism crop research projects in the State and their locations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to make this data available, upon request, to farmers in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

GMO; Research Data and Location; Disclosure to Farmers