Kucinich Announces Right to Know Legislation

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Congressman Dennis Kucinich, (D-OH), a long-time advocate of family farmers and organic foods, made the following statement after the Supreme Court voted 7-1 to allow the experimental planting of genetically modified alfalfa seed before an environmental review is completed:

"Today the Supreme Court ruled that when it comes to genetically modified organisms, we as consumers have to wait until the damage is done and obvious before we can act to protect health and the environment, even if that damage could be irreversible."

"Haven't we learned from the catastrophe in the Gulf of the dangers of technological arrogance, of proceeding ahead with technologies without worrying about the consequences? Why do we continue to throw precaution to the wind?

"Tomorrow I will introduce three bills that will provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for all Genetically Engineered (GE) plants, animals, bacteria, and other organisms. To ensure we can maximize benefits and minimize hazards, Congress must provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for all GE products. Structured as a common-sense precaution to ensure GE foods do no harm, these bills will ensure that consumers are protected, food safety measures are strengthened, farmers' rights are better protected and biotech companies are responsible for their products."

While I think that is both a necessary and a laudable idea, (and I haven't seen the bills yet) Dennis Kucinich has sponsored 98 bills since Jan 7, 1997 of which 94 haven't made it out of committee, and only 3 were successfully enacted. (Note: those numbers do not include co-sponsored bills.)