Pacific Council: Fix Genetically Modified Products Act

[Flake]

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[Cranberry]

I am not a fan of genetically modified products, but investing in researching them to make them not harmful is certainly a good idea. I would however support if they had to be marked visibly.

[Oakvale]

I'm concerned about this bill on two counts - firstly, there's broad scientific agreement that GMOs pose no more threat than "normal" foods, so we'd be spending money for no particular reason (especially since I would assume the FDA covers a lot of this), and secondly (ironically), even if we are to assume that there's a possible risk to be assessed, would a million be enough to cover any meaningful research?

[Cranberry]

If it's that way, then I as well see no point in wasting money.
I withdraw my support of this bill.

[DemPGH]

You know what we could do?

It's not really crazy to not be entirely comfortable with GMO products. Since some folks are concerned about GMO products, would it make sense to require clear labeling or something? It's mainly with regard to produce and vegetables, isn't it? I know the soy milk I get IRL always says "Organic / Non-GMO" or something like that.

[Oakvale]

That would be reasonable, the problem is that it might have to only apply to Pacific-produced goods (if there's no federal legislation on this) since otherwise you'd be mandating that firms have different packaging/labelling once they cross the Pacific border.

[Flake]

Cranberry, would you like to offer an amendment?

[Cranberry]

I don't know. Is this still and amendment, or already a new bill?

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[Flake]

Let's vote on the amendment

[Flake]

Aye

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Aye

[Cranberry]

AYE

[DemPGH]

You can do that. I might re-title it, though? I'll let you just do that.

I really can't see that this would present a problem, and I'm for almost anything that would result in a consumer being educated. Of course I'm at the age where I read ingredients on the labels of things that I buy in the grocery store for a lot of reasons!

As to it being specific to the Pacific region, I can look into that.