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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