NATURAL LAW PARTY NEWS FLASH!
DR. JOHN HAGELIN TESTIFIES AT WASHINGTON, D.C., FDA HEARING
On November 30, 1999, Natural Law Party presidential candidate
Dr. John Hagelin testified in Washington, D.C., at the public
hearing organized by the Food and Drug Administration to address
concerns about genetically engineered foods. The text of his
statement follows.
I'm John Hagelin, nuclear physicist and presidential candidate of
America's fastest growing political party--the Natural Law Party.
As a scientist, I am deeply concerned about the genetic manipulation
of food. I am concerned about the health and environmental risks of
this radical technology, which manipulates life at its foundation.
The possibility of unanticipated allergic and toxic reactions is
already well documented. Even the FDA's own staff scientists have
warned of the "possibility of high concentrations of plant
toxicants" in these experimental foods.
And of course, the ENVIRONMENTAL risks from these experimental
crops are incalculable--from the gene pollution that results from
breaking down genetic barriers put in place by Nature.
And yet our government has helped slip these foods onto our grocery
store shelves without safety testing and with no labeling.
As a nuclear physicist, I have seen first-hand the results of the
hasty commercialization of nuclear technologies that have threatened
mankind with extinction. I am similarly concerned that short-term
financial interests of a few biotech firms are guiding the
commercialization of these equally-dangerous genetic technologies.
Genetically engineered crops have fulfilled none of their promises
of higher yields or environmental benefits. And since molecular
biologists are themselves deeply divided about the safety of these
foods, there is NO SCIENTIFIC BASIS for the government's assurances
that the risks are mininal.
That is why I have helped draft legislation calling for mandatory
labeling and safety testing. That is why thousands of Natural Law
Party candidates across the country will challenge their incumbents
on televised debates as to where they stand on this crucial labeling
legislation.
It's time our government fulfill its responsibility to put the
safety of the American people first--instead of serving as apologists
for the biotech industry.
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