Genetic Roulette

[proverbialwisdom]

4. News at the national level here - http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/campaigns/ .

eg. Last June, the Indiana State Medical Association and the Illinois State Medical Society both introduced resolutions to the American Medical Association supporting Federal legislation and/or regulations to require labeling of food with genetically engineered ingredients. The AMA may have punted, as widely reported, but that's burying the lead, IMO.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/AMA_please_label_gmos/

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(late June 2012)

...The Indiana State Medical Association and the Illinois State Medical Society have both introduced resolutions to the American Medical Association supporting Federal legislation and/or regulations to require labeling of food with genetically engineered ingredients and they need your support today.

A copy of this petition will be delivered to Dr. Roger Brown, Director of Office of AMA House of Delegate Affairs, on behalf of the American Medical Association:

Adopt Resolution 509-A-11 in lieu of the Council Report on GMO labeling

Dear Doctors and Delegates of the American Medical Association,

I am writing to urge the American Medical Association House of Delegates to Adopt Resolution 509-A-11 in lieu of the Council Report on GMO labeling. Medical doctors have a vital role to play in guaranteeing that the rights and health of their patients are taken seriously and by passing a resolution to label GMOs, the AMA would be taking that important step.

A simple label on foods could help doctors keep track of important data related to the rise of food allergies and the novel proteins found in genetically engineered foods. Without labeling, there is no way to track potential adverse consequences of eating genetically engineered food.

Americans have a basic right to know what's in their food and how it's produced. Already nearly 50 countries recognize their citizens' basic right to label genetically engineered foods in order to give them vital information about the food they are eating. While the long-term health effects of consuming genetically engineered food are unknown, there is global agreement that genetically engineered foods are different from traditionally bred crops.

In 2011, the United Nations food safety standards organization adopted guidelines recommending all genetically engineered foods go through a safety assessment prior to approval, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require health studies before the products are approved for human consumption.

In an effort to join growing international consensus regarding the potential for GMOs to introduce increased toxins and allergies in our food supply, I urge the American Medical Association to support GMO labeling to better inform consumers about the food they are buying and feeding their families.

Sincerely,