He keiki aloha na mea kanu. (Beloved children are the plants)
A hearing on the billSB958 (the 10 year Moratorium on Genetic Modification of Taro) took place on March 19th, 2008. Here is a sample of the Testimonial that was presented by the Native Activists.
Name:
Organizations:
Neighborhood:
Town, Zip Code:
Phone/Email:
SUBJECT: TESTIMONY- IN SUPPORT SB958
10 Year Moratorium on the GMO Taro
Aloha Legislators,
We write to ask that you support the 10 year moratorium on all forms of genetic modification and patenting of the taro (kalo) plant species. For 1200 years farmers in Hawai'i have cared for and protected the most varieties of taro on the planet. In Hawai'i taro is the plant of the people- it is our living culture and ancient history, native nutrition and ecological tradition. Taro provides a beloved and unique hypo-allergenic food, medicine, sustainable agriculture and industry for Hawaii. Genetically modifying any variety of taro is culturally disrespectful and also poses irreversible and irresponsible dangers to our food, health, environment and economy.
I support sustainable farming & precautionary scientific research that does not expose the taro species to the disrespect and risks of genetic engineering. I ask that the legislators actively support farmers/scientists in publicly accepted and safely advanced methods of protecting taro from land & water issues and invasive pests & diseases.
Taro is an incomparably sacred and valuable part of our island community. We join mahi'ai (farmers) of Hawai'i in calling on you and your fellow legislators to protect all of us and Hawaii's unique culture and resources by passing a law to provide a 10 year moratorium on the genetic modification and patenting of all varieties of the taro plant species.
Organizations:
Neighborhood:
Town, Zip Code:
Phone/Email:
SUBJECT: TESTIMONY- IN SUPPORT SB958
10 Year Moratorium on the GMO Taro
Aloha Legislators,
We write to ask that you support the 10 year moratorium on all forms of genetic modification and patenting of the taro (kalo) plant species. For 1200 years farmers in Hawai'i have cared for and protected the most varieties of taro on the planet. In Hawai'i taro is the plant of the people- it is our living culture and ancient history, native nutrition and ecological tradition. Taro provides a beloved and unique hypo-allergenic food, medicine, sustainable agriculture and industry for Hawaii. Genetically modifying any variety of taro is culturally disrespectful and also poses irreversible and irresponsible dangers to our food, health, environment and economy.
I support sustainable farming & precautionary scientific research that does not expose the taro species to the disrespect and risks of genetic engineering. I ask that the legislators actively support farmers/scientists in publicly accepted and safely advanced methods of protecting taro from land & water issues and invasive pests & diseases.
Taro is an incomparably sacred and valuable part of our island community. We join mahi'ai (farmers) of Hawai'i in calling on you and your fellow legislators to protect all of us and Hawaii's unique culture and resources by passing a law to provide a 10 year moratorium on the genetic modification and patenting of all varieties of the taro plant species.
Malama Haloa! Malama Pono,
Hawai`i SEED/GMO-Free Maui
808-572-1865
Hawai`i SEED/GMO-Free Maui
808-572-1865
It is inspiring to see how the Native Hawaiians are able to come together and unite for such a cause. Many of the activists created websites, blogs, forums, and where able to spread the word about this taro controversy. Yet the battle has just begun, and they are still seeking more people to help fight this war of patents on taro.
No comments:
Post a Comment