LETTERS: GENETIC-ENGINEERED PRODUCTS NEED LABELS

To the editor:

In the last several months, genetic engineering has gained worldwide attention. While there has been much in the media about this controversial subject, you would never know it by reading the Southeast Missourian. Since our local newspaper has chosen, for whatever reason, to ignore something that affects every American, I feel that someone must address this subject.

According to the Dec. 14 Post-Dispatch, a lawsuit has been filed against Monsanto for selling genetically modified seeds without adequate testing and for violating antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of farmers from Iowa, Indiana and France. The purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent "Monsanto and other life-science companies developing cartels to increasingly dominate and influence the most important resource of all, genes, and the seeds on which all of us rely for our food," says Jeremy Rifkin of the Foundation on Economic Trends.

In a front-page article in The Washington Post, "Biotech Crops Spur Warning," a coalition of more than 30 farm groups has spoken out against genetic engineering. Some farmers are afraid that because of the unpopularity of genetic-engineered crops, there may not be a market for their grain. Others fear the inadequately tested technology may "make farmers vulnerable to massive liability' from damage caused by genetic drift."

On Nov. 30, CNN's "Crossfire" was devoted to genetic engineering. In that broadcast, Jeremy Rifkin stated, "The British Medical Association has said the problems here to health are so problematic there ought to be a worldwide moratorium on this." According to Rifkin, some of the Food and Drug Administration's scientists believe there is a potential for serious toxic effects.

Recently, ads have been running on television touting the benefits of biotech crops. In these ads, the claim is made that "50 million acres of biotech crops have been approved for worldwide export." Export to whom? Japan is putting tighter controls on biotech crops, the Europeans are not in favor of biotechnology and some countries such as France and Greece have even banned biotech imports completely.

In some of the reports about genetic engineering, some scientists have referred to genetically engineered foods as being "genetically improved." To make such a bold claim is like saying, "We can make food better than God." That is a frightening claim.

Currently, there is legislation pending concerning the labeling of genetically altered foods. It is the belief of many Americans that genetically altered foods should be labeled. It is our right, as Americans, to decide what type of foods we eat. If there is nothing wrong with this technology, why be afraid to label it?

Call or write your elected officials and ask them to support House Resolution 3377, which would require the labeling of genetically altered foods. Don't let Monsanto and the other biotech companies make guinea pigs out of us all.

BECKY FARRIS

Cape Girardeau

EDITOR'S NOTE: A check of the Southeast Missourian's story database for 1999 found 40 stories with references to "genetics" or "genetic engineering." This doesn't include Associated Press stories on those topics.