06-13-2014, 05:56 AM
I'll admit that I'm not fanatical in either direction with respect to GMOs. However, I'm concerned about using GMOs as a litmus test for any candidate because it's an issue that, in reality, is outside the reasonable jurisdiction of either the state legislature or county council. If GMO labeling is mandated at either county or state level, major food producers will either ignore the ban, tie it up in court appeals, or stop shipping their products to the Islands. They are not going to undertake the expense required by these proposed broad brush laws to serve the relatively small market in the Islands. (Massive expense includes establishing processes to insure none of their ingredients are GMO, on-going cost of monitoring compliance with the policy, redesign of packaging etc.). GMO advocacy needs to addressed at the federal level, so that a nationwide standard can be developed and enforced.
From what I've seen of candidates at both the state and county level, most are ready to jump on whichever bandwagon (GMO or non-GMO) seems to have the loudest -- not necessarily most scientifically informed -- voices at the moment.
From what I've seen of candidates at both the state and county level, most are ready to jump on whichever bandwagon (GMO or non-GMO) seems to have the loudest -- not necessarily most scientifically informed -- voices at the moment.