Americans Want Labels on GM/GE Foods
CAMPAIGN TO DISTRIBUTE 250,000 "TAKE ACTION PACKETS" TO RALLY SUPPORT
FOR LABELING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS
| Here is an announcement by the leading organization that seeks to have genetically engineered foods labeled. Below that, an exciting excerpt from the new issue of Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly. |
The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods will distribute 250,000 “Take Action Packets” to citizens across the country.
“Americans have consistently shown in surveys that they strongly support the labeling of genetically engineered foods,” says Craig Winters, The Campaign’ s Executive Director. “With this Take Action Packet, we expect to generate a million letters to Congress in support of labeling. Congress will feel enormous pressure to listen to the will of the American people.”
The 24-page newsletter contains 12 pages of educational information about the perils of genetically engineered foods, as well as letters people can cut out and send to their Congress members and the presidential candidates.
“If enough people write letters to Vice President Gore and Governor Bush, they will be forced to address the issue during Campaign 2000,” says Winters.
The letters urge politicians to support the “Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act”, which has been introduced in the House by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and in the Senate by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). More than 50 Representatives have co-sponsored Kucinich’s bill so far.
"We support the goals of The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods, and we think this Take Action Packet will be a helpful tool for our customers," said Margaret Wittenberg, Vice President of Governmental & Public Affairs of Whole Foods Market.
Whole Foods Market has purchased over 100,000 copies of the packet for customers in their 108 stores.
Rep. Kucinich says "Industry has taken a very paternalistic attitude toward people. There’s something very American about labeling; people want the right to know. We’re the country of freedom of information.”
The Take Action Packet may be viewed on The Campaign’s web site, at www.thecampaign.org.
And here's an excerpt from the new issue of RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY:
The genetically-engineered-food industry may be spiraling downward.
- Last July, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman -- a big supporter of genetically engineered foods -- began comparing agricultural biotechnology to nuclear power, a severely-wounded industry.
- In Europe, genetically engineered food has to be labeled and few are buying it.
- The Japanese government also requires GE foods to be labeled.
- Americans in overwhelming numbers (80% to 90% or more) have indicated they want GE foods labeled.
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Rachel's Environment and Health Weekly can be found at www.rachel.org
Should US children be guinea pigs for the rest of the world, simply because genetic engineering corporations are unwilling to label their products? A free market requires information, not concealment. What is your opinion? Tell The Progress Report:
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