Hawaiian culture and GMOs


Jerry Burris has an editorial in today's Advertiser about Hawaiians and their culture adapting to change through time, sometimes being exploited, yet valuing technological innovation. He tries to apply this to biotech.

Biotech and Hawaiian culture also mentioned in this Advertiser editorial, and more about its future in Hawaii in this commentary by Lisa Gibson and Dew-Anne Langcaon.

Meanwhile, Merle Inouye has a good letter about the costs of GMOs: "In signing a moratorium on Hawaiian taro research, the University of Hawai'i has opened up the local discussion on genetic engineering of our food plants, and this is a good thing because the majority of people don't know much about the genetic engineering of food..." Read this one, it has some good cautionary notes.

The biotech train is clearly rolling in Hawaii. It has been for a long time, unbeknownst to most, and it is picking up steam. At the same time, the public is raising more questions. Will this new bioethics panel, formed by a branch of the Royal Order of Kamehameha whose legitimacy is questioned by others, just serve as an enabler of the industry, or will they raise real questions and awareness? The fact that Hawaiians are stirred to action by the threat of GMO kalo is good, but it must go far beyond kalo. GMO anything can be a threat to Hawaii's environment. And while it is unfortunately probably not realistic to entirely stop the research and commercial activity any time soon, the leverage of the cultural concerns should be used to push for other important steps, such as disclosure of the locations and activities of GMO projects in the islands, and the requirement for labeling of GMO foods so consumers know what they're eating and can make a choice.


Posted: Sun - June 5, 2005 at 09:02 AM    
   
 
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Published On: Dec 27, 2005 10:15 PM
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