Senate committee passes GMO bill in 3-0 vote

[peteadams]

The arguments are still the same old, same old:

(Quotes from http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2014/1/2...in_3-0.htm apparently the S-A article)

The science-oriented folks are sticking by the science:

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"The [state health] department told the Senate that the state could not enforce the bill because practical and legally defensible methods to test for GMOs do not exist. The department also said that there is no conclusive scientific evidence of negative health effects from GMOs, so labeling is not a health issue and should not be assigned to the department."

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And offering alternatives that put the labeling burden where it belongs:

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"Alicia Maluafiti, executive director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, which represents biotechnology companies, said she supports the marketing option of labeling food that is GMO-free. She compared it to food products labeled "kosher" that conform to Jewish dietary laws.

If you want certain foods because of a lifestyle or religious or philosophical choice, then you go that way," Maluafiti said."

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The rabble-rousing is still evident:

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Several lawmakers privately believe that some of their colleagues are playing to the vocal anti-GMO activists and progressives, who are planning a rally tomorrow at the state Capitol, regardless of the merits of the issue.

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And what the opposition "believes" and who it considers authoritative is still in la-la land:

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"But Nomi Carmona, president of Babes Against Biotech, said she does not believe there is a scientific consensus that GMO food is safe."

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That said, I'm extremely disappointed in some factions of the Democratic party and alleged "progressives" (they're not) helping to enable the labeling panic. This is a good time give your representatives a phone call.