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Naomi Starkman

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Record-breaking One Million Americans Tell FDA: We Have a Right to Know What's in Our Food

Posted: 03/27/2012 3:58 pm

The Just Label It (JLI) Campaign announced today that a record-breaking one million Americans of all political persuasions have called on the FDA to label genetically engineered (GE) foods. Today, March 27, is the date that the FDA is required to respond to the petition. It took JLI and its more than 500 partner organizations less than 180 days to accumulate a record breaking number of public comments--a testament to the power of collective voices to demand our right to know what's in our food. (I've written about the campaign before here, here, and here.)

The campaign also announced today a new national survey revealing that more than nine out of 10 Americans across the political spectrum supports labeling food that has been genetically engineered. This new infographic is a compelling visual that shares the results of the survey.

New Survey Results: Motherhood, Apple Pie and GE Food Labeling

Voter support for GE-foods labeling in the U.S. is nearly unanimous, according to the political opinion survey on GE food labeling conducted by The Mellman Group on behalf of JLI. Explained pollster Mark Mellman, "Few topics other than motherhood and apple pie can muster over 90 percent support, but labeling GE-foods is one of those few views held almost unanimously." The survey found nearly all Democrats (93% favor, 2% oppose), Independents (90% favor, 5% oppose) and Republicans (89% favor, 5% oppose) in favor of labeling. The study also revealed that support for labeling is robust and arguments against it have little sway.

In the era of pink slime, BPA in our soup and deadly melons, we have a right more than ever to know about what's in our food. The FDA needs to restore confidence in our food and our right to know about the food we eat and feed our families. It's time for the FDA to give Americans the same rights held by citizens in over 40 nations, including all of our major trade partners, to know whether our foods have been genetically modified.

Stay tuned as the campaign now works to make sure that the FDA and Washington knows that one million Americans are watching to make sure they deliver.

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The Just Label It (JLI) Campaign announced today that a record-breaking one million Americans of all political persuasions have called on the FDA to label genetically engineered (GE) foods. Today, Mar...
The Just Label It (JLI) Campaign announced today that a record-breaking one million Americans of all political persuasions have called on the FDA to label genetically engineered (GE) foods. Today, Mar...
 
 
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darksideofthespoon
what we think we become
01:31 PM on 03/30/2012
Things need to change. The amount of products that monsanto pumps it's GMO's into is sickening. To give you an idea, it's just about every brand name in your pantry.
10:27 AM on 03/29/2012
We also need to label all ingredients such as mechanically separated meat. If it's not that big a deal, you can put it on the package, right? Why hide it?
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farmilyman
everything is illusion
03:29 AM on 03/29/2012
The FDA probably won't do anything because Monsanto has operatives at every level of government.
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darksideofthespoon
what we think we become
01:30 PM on 03/30/2012
Yep. The FDA's food "czar" used to be a Monsanto Lobbyist. Sickening.
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Ranveig Elvebakk
Innovator, author and lecturer on weight and nutri
06:47 PM on 03/28/2012
Right they are. Studies show that genetically engineered foods transfer these artificial genes to intestinal bacteria, and may give rise to resistance and other forms of unforeseen changes in the food chain. (Netherwood, 2004)
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09:41 PM on 04/03/2012
I hope whatever you author is more accurate than this post. Did you read the study?

http://www2.ups.edu/faculty/amadlung/Plant_Phys_Bio332/Bio332_07_Pap_disc4_1.pdf
The inclusion of genetically modified (GM) plants in the human diet has raised concerns about the possible transfer of transgenes from GM plants to intestinal microflora and enterocytes. (read the study)...As this low level of epsps in the intestinal microflora did not increase after consumption of the meal containing GM soya, WE CONCLUDE THAT GENE TRANSFER DID NOT OCCUR DURING THE FEEDING EXPERIMENT. (My caps for emphasis.)
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Karl Wilder
Chef Stirring The Pot Harlem
12:12 PM on 03/28/2012
The only reason it is not currently labeled is that our politicians belong to the corporations. They care nothing for the people any longer.
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01:01 PM on 03/28/2012
"If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense..."
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11:28 AM on 03/28/2012
One of the basic tenets of an effective capitalist system is a consumer that is "well-informed". This was expressly outlined by the father's of capitalism (Adam Smith, John Locke, etc). The more (factual) information the better. We have a RIGHT to know.
08:22 PM on 03/29/2012
we don't have an effective capitalist system. we have a tyranny.
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Pavarti Ben
10:22 PM on 03/29/2012
...and John Locke? I believe John Locke was a proponent of socialism, completely opposite of capitalism. There is no longer a mutual consent between the people and the chosen government, the social contract has been broken.
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tbone99
cruisin' duality
11:20 AM on 03/28/2012
The fact that Obama appointed a Monsanto lobbyist and VP to the top of the FDA tells us everything we need to know about who is looking out for food safety in the U.S.----NoOne!
We have been sold to the highest bidder

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/858

No wonder Michelle began planting a WH garden.
04:26 PM on 03/31/2012
Jeffery Smith- pioneer, revolutionary, health advocate, yogic levitator, swing dance intructor, high school educated, probably schizophrenic

Nice link!
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09:43 PM on 04/03/2012
But, but, he wrote a BOOK! It must be true.
10:39 PM on 03/27/2012
There is little evidence to show that GMO's are in fact unsafe. This much is true. However, the FDA's job is to protect and serve American consumers. Consumer have a right to have their foods clearly labeled, if not for anything other than they wish to be more informed. If in fact GMO's are entirely safe, no harm no foul. It's as simple as that. A more label conscience America might not be a bad thing anyway. Here's an interesting article on how the FDA could reform to better serve the people: http://bit.ly/yNv1cB
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07:26 AM on 03/28/2012
"There is little evidence to show that GMO's are in fact unsafe."

-Really? I found the below studies in under 5 minutes... Sounds like there is a tremendous lack in short and long term human health and toxicity studies, but what is out there doesn't look promising.

But I agree, as consumers we have the right to choose. It is that simple and no other argument can change that fact.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16119037

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16277398

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10533866

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408390601177670

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/287/5452/431.short

http://www.springerlink.com/content/j6l8113834l622t7/

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2805%2977667-4/fulltext

http://www.lancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2805%2977668-6/fulltext

http://www.springerlink.com/content/l7647307u864v001/

http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=53
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adamben
yes i said yes i will yes
11:50 AM on 03/28/2012
thank you!

ffed!!
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03:43 PM on 03/28/2012
Do you actually read these? The 1st one says: "The skin test results of 49 patients showed 13 positive results to wild soybeans and 8 positive results to GMO soybeans. One patient had a positive skin test result to GMO soybeans only. Sera from nine patients with positive skin tests to the crude extract and a positive capsulated allergen product test to the soybean antigen were used for the immunoblotting of GMO and wild soybeans. GMO soybeans revealed a unique strong immunoglobulin E binding band at 25 kDa in some patients and wild soybeans showed a strong immunoglobulin E binding band at 30-36 kDa. To assess the allergenicity of GMO food, more research, including a selection of controlled sample materials and immunoassays of qualified sera, is needed."
So how does that equate to "unsafe"?
07:51 AM on 03/28/2012
Remember when doctors used to tell their patients to smoke for their stress? Yes, there was a time when there was little evidence that smoking kills. Same with GE food.
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08:47 AM on 03/28/2012
They still do!

"Aris Widodo, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Brawijaya in East Java, told the court that he had never heard of anyone dying from smoking. He said smoking could eliminate anxiety, sharpen concentration and calm the nerves.

Widodo says that stress is a major factor in illnesses that often are blamed on tobacco. But stress can easily be overcome by smoking cigarettes, rather than using other expensive drugs."

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Indonesian-Court-Hears-Testimony-That-Tobacco-Is-Not-Addictive-115715414.html
10:57 PM on 03/29/2012
Yup. GMO science is tobacco science. Same with vaccine science...it's all garbage.
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10:38 PM on 03/27/2012
We have a right to have our food labeled. There is a basic lack of published human studies. There is almost zero published research concerning the effects long-term or short-term effects directly on humans.

As consumers, we have the right to know and to choose accordingly. End of story.
05:17 PM on 03/28/2012
Absolutely correct. They do not have the right to withhold the information.
08:04 PM on 03/28/2012
Did you forget about the trial we've been doing since 1996-you know the one where we feed 2 trillionn meals containing gmo and no person ever reports a single mammal ever showing negative affects?

Or the 5 EFSA 10-year studies showing no difference in GMO and non-gmo
12:12 AM on 03/29/2012
Hazel Rules!!!
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08:34 AM on 03/29/2012
"Did you forget about the trial we've been doing since 1996-"

-Who is this we? What trial? Whats the name and where can we review it?

"5 EFSA 10-year studies"

-What studies? Links please. The EFSA, the European FDA? Yeah I'm sure their motives are pure...
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08:51 PM on 03/27/2012
NEW RULE: If you say that being anti-GMO is being "Anti Science" then you also have to say that being anti Volcano eruptions makes you "Anti Nature".

Allow me to further point out that all we're talking about here is Information. The people want to be informed, they want knowledge. Knowledge is the basis of all science. Keeping that knowledge away from the people seems to be to be the "anti science" position.
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07:29 AM on 03/28/2012
Completely agree. I'm pretty sure Big Tobacco does everything in it's power to keep selling it's products and we know how 'safe' they are. What's to say Monsanto et al won't do the same thing? Considering the misc agencies and commissioners responsible for protecting us are stock full of revolving door appointees from the very same companies they are supposed to monitor, I consider them suspect and biased.

We have the right to know and choose. End of story.
11:13 AM on 03/30/2012
I agree!

Show us proof of danger and I will protest with you!

Until then, shut up and overpay for usda organic food. Its SO simple!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Act out
Make love not war.
08:21 PM on 03/27/2012
Monsanto owns the rights to GMO foods like soy and corn completely, all over the world. If a farmer buys their seeds they have to buy their pesticides. They have scouts that watch for farmers growing corn from seed that they own the copy rights to. Farmers used to take their seed from the corn they grew. Now if they do that, they will be sued by Monsanto. I'm not entirely serious about this but has anyone ever watched the movie Damien II where one company had control over the worlds food? There are several documentaries out there about Monsanto. Take your pick they're all scary as heck.
07:52 AM on 03/28/2012
Monsanto is the devil.
09:21 AM on 03/28/2012
Growing your own food doesn't even seem like the viable option anymore - they'll find a way to screw you over for that, too..
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adamben
yes i said yes i will yes
11:52 AM on 03/28/2012
buy organic.
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deweaver
Scientist, businessman, semi-retired
07:12 PM on 03/27/2012
Does that mean that 350 million people don't care or understand that GMO doesn't make any difference. Having about 0.3% of the US population being crazy about GMO's is about like alien abductions believers doing a petition for more research on little green men.

There is no data showing problems with FDA approved GMO's just like there is no data on little green men, but that doesn't make any difference to believers.
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09:06 PM on 03/27/2012
"Crazy" is a bit harsh, isn't it...being that they only want the truth?

As for little green men, a scientist, even a semi retired one, should know that we are looking for "little green men" every day from observatories and labs the world over. Science always craves more information, not less. As for that, surely you realize that the .3% is only the number of people who signed this petition. The number who are actually in favor of labeling is vastly larger, closer to 90%. If I were semi retired, I'd give up on this one. The truth will out.
10:16 PM on 03/27/2012
Dr. Ignatz Semmelweis asked his self-righteous science enlightened colleagues to wash their hands before they delivered babies. His colleagues laughed at his peculiarity and rationalized that since they couldn't see the contagion, it did not exist. Well, they were wrong...and he was right. There is a balance in this world and GMO practices tilts it in the wrong direction...as far as little green men, well you'd have to talk to Stephen Hawking. He may disagree with you. Knowledge is flexible - if you know it all how can you know if you are wrong.
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Pavarti Ben
10:27 PM on 03/29/2012
Fanned & Faved Christine!! And don't forget how turning off the faucet cured cholera :)
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tracerhaha1
It's time to end the war on (some) drugs.
06:39 PM on 03/27/2012
the coroporations the manufacture GMO's don;t wan't them labelled because they are afraid people won't buy them if they are.
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07:42 AM on 03/28/2012
Yup they are quaking in their boots. They are hoping that we will be the usual apathetic American sheep and do what the plutocracy tells us. Not this time. We are mobilizing to get labels on GMO foods and that will be the end result.
11:15 AM on 03/30/2012
You will never have a label for something that you cannot prove is dangerous.

SORRY!
mothergrace
If they knock you down, bite 'em on the ankle.
06:22 PM on 03/27/2012
There is no good argument against labeling foods that are GMO, if for no other reason than further studies down the road.

Those against labeling know that consumers do not want these products and so fight labeling tooth and nail.
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HazelPethigFan
I don't know until I know
06:47 PM on 03/27/2012
the true agenda of you anti-technology people is just to ban gmo...period. admit it. this has nothing to do with labeling. with 50% of white sugar already GMO and over 90% of soybean oil GMO it's obvious most are already eating it anyway.

Ma, you've been told the facts over and over. you anti-science types just don't get it fo you?
mothergrace
If they knock you down, bite 'em on the ankle.
07:38 PM on 03/27/2012
I must give you kudos for persisting in your characterization, despite all good sense and the true definition of science, to label (no pun intended) those who do not want GMO's as "anti-science."

Science produces many results, some of which are helpful and some of which are not; some of which are practical and some of which are not, as well as knowledge.

I can dislike the APPLICATION of the scientific manipulation of genetic material to produce these products.

Do you like nuclear weapons?

They too are the RESULT of scientific study.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Act out
Make love not war.
08:09 PM on 03/27/2012
I'm not sure yet if GMO food is safe. I eat because most times I don't have a choice. Did you know that GMO foods have infertile seeds? They are not sustainable anymore. Has anyone here watched a video about Monsanto yet? You'll be shocked at what Monsanto is doing to farmers all over the world.
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07:36 AM on 03/28/2012
I want to opt out of them now, so when the long term human health studies show toxicity, I will have already made the choice to avoid them.
mothergrace
If they knock you down, bite 'em on the ankle.
12:28 PM on 03/28/2012
We have too. All organic and heirloom seeds for what I can grow on my balcony.

I worry about the direct health problems but I am also very worried about the implications for eco-systems in the form of reduced biodiversity, the impact on pollinator insects and resistance.
04:37 PM on 03/27/2012
This is outstanding! Let's hope that when the people speak as they have here, their voice is louder than Big Agro-Business. The outcome of this petition will prove whether or not the American people still have a voice in politics.