Justice Begins with Seeds Conference - Interview #2 with GMO Educator & Presenter Pamm Larry, labelgmos.org. Presented by biosafetyalliance.org. May 18 – 19, SF. By Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazine.

The purpose of the upcoming conference is to grow the food sovereignty movement by advancing learning and building coalitions between the GMO counter-movement in the US, and other movements thriving to develop sustainable food systems, alleviate climate change through soil practices, defend the rights of indigenous communities, reduce social inequalities and encourage citizen democracy against corporatocracy.

Please see Justice Begins with Seeds Conference Interview #1 with Presenter Katherine Zavala, IDEX. By Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazine.

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From labelgmos.org -

The Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods Are Unclear

Unlike the strict safety evaluations required for the approval of new drugs, the safety of genetically engineered foods for human consumption is not adequately tested. There have been NO long-term studies conducted on the safety of genetically engineered foods on humans. The issue of GM food safety was first discussed at a meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and biotech representatives in 1990. The "substantial equivalence" concept was proposed in early 1996. The adoption of the concept of substantial equivalence allowed permission to market and sell new foods without any safety or toxicology tests as long as they were not too different in chemical composition to foods already on the market. [See FDA GRAS proposal] To decide if a modified product is substantially equivalent, the product is tested by the manufacturer for unexpected changes in a limited set of variables such as toxins, nutrients or allergens that are known to be present in the unmodified food. If these tests show no significant difference between the modified and unmodified products, then no further food safety testing is required.

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Interview with Pamm by Willi

What are some of the short-term and long-term effects of eating GMO foods?

We don't know as there have been NO long term human studies on these foods. Animal studies indicate problems, AND both sides do not recognize the respective science of the other side. This is why we want them labeled: to not be part of a long term experiment without our consent.

What is the EPA and FDA track record on GMOs?

They deregulate them with fervor and are ramping-up deregulations even more, despite outcries from the public, organizations and businesses around the country. They listen to industry and not to the people who want GMOs labeled. Over 90% routinely poll in favor of labeling. In terms of protecting organic or non-GMO farmers: they protect the AGBIO industry, not those whose livelihoods depend on food produced from seeds instead of a laboratory.

Tell us about the forces that are fighting to not label GMO foods?

They are the chemical companies that produce the genetically engineered seeds and all the chemicals that the farmer has to buy to use them. They are the large monoculture agribusiness companies who are shoving out small farmers and poisoning us, the soil and our planet. They are the huge grocery stores who are afraid folks will not want to buy GMO foods (and they are often on the boards of directors of the other companies mentioned above.) It is all the forces out there that fight food sovereignty of the people so they can make a profit while ruining the world.

Where is the CA Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act now? What are the next steps?

We handed in almost a million signatures to the state on May 2. We are now building our alliances and endorsements to show all Californians that this is broad based and we will not back down, like every legislative effort has.

Is there a home test to detect GMOs?

Not that I know of.

What about GMO, pets and their food?

We had to focus on ONE thing that could get a crack in the door. That is labeling of the foods on the US market in processed foods and that were genetically engineered themselves. To include all sorts of other things would have made this far more difficult to get voted in. Once this is voted in, I believe legislation will be much easier to get through...and that form of law making is far less expensive and difficult than an initiative.

Is Labelgmo.org doing independent tests on the food?

Not yet.

Can you estimate how many non-GMO foods that are on the shelf at WholeFoods? Rainbow Grocery in SF? At the Grand Ave Weekend Farmers Market?

WholeFoods? Actually I went looking for them awhile back and it wasn't all that easy to find them. Although not all of Whole foods wants labels, some in that chain are very conscious and try to do the right thing. They are transitioning to the Non-GMO Project verified label soon. I am not familiar with Rainbow Grocery. I have never seen soy, cottonseed oil, sugar beets, canola oil, field corn, Hawaiian papaya at any Farmer's Markets. The only crops before that could have been transgenics (which are what this law addresses) are zucchini and crookneck squash. This year, transgenic sweet corn will be on the market. So, in terms of Farmer's Markets- this law basically doesn't even apply to them much (except for the three crops mentioned). Short answer for farmer's markets = 3 are GMO so the rest aren't.

Do organic food producers want to disclose their GMO content?

I don't know as I'm not an organic food producer, but my guess would be no.

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Pamm's Bio –

Pamm Larry is a mother, a grandmother, a former midwife and farmer. She has lived in Chico, California for 34 years, has always been interested in real, healthy food. She has recently become a food advocate and is passionately committed to consumer's rights and is the Original Instigator for the initiative and Northern California Director for Label GMOs.org

Connections –

Pamm Larry
labelgmos.org
plarry at labelgmos.org