51
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.              
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  RESOLUTION


CALLING FOR THE REPORTING OF ALL ONGOING AND PLANNED WORK WITH
   GENETIC ENGINEERING IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.


 1   
 2       WHEREAS, genetic engineering is a new science without any
 3   long term evaluation of the effects on the health of human
 4   bodies, other living creatures, and the environment;  and
 5   
 6       WHEREAS, Japan, the European Union, and the majority of
 7   other Nations in the World are limiting, if not barring, the
 8   imports of genetically engineered foods into their respective
 9   countries and questioning the safety of genetic engineering
10   technology upon our health and environment;  and
11   
12   
13       WHEREAS, the drift of pollen from genetically engineered
14   crops has been scientifically documented to extend two or more
15   miles away from such plantings, and therefore poses
16    potential risks to the organic farm industry and other farms
17   not using genetically engineered crops, including industrial
18   and home plantings;  and
19   
20       WHEREAS, in addition to the potential effects on Hawaii's
21   agriculture industry, genetic engineering could also have
22   unforeseen effects on Hawaii's precious native ecosystems and
23   the biodiversity of our sensitive island environment;  and
24   
25       WHEREAS, the health and purity of our islands' ecosystems
26   should be assured top priority before the State of Hawaii
27   ventures down the road of untested biotechnology which is
28   currently being rejected by the World Market;  now, therefore,
29   
30       BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
31   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
32   of 2000, that the University of Hawaii College of Tropical
33   Agriculture and Human Resources, the University of Hawaii
34   Cooperative Extension Service, the Department of Agriculture,
35   and the State Department of Business Economic Development and
36   Tourism report all work, ongoing or planned, with genetic
37   engineering and/or associated technology to the State
38   Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of
39   the 2001 Regular Session;  and

 
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                                  H.R. NO.              
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1   
 2       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon the receipt of these
 3   reports providing information on the extent of genetic
 4   engineering use and research in Hawaii, members of the State
 5   Legislature shall decide whether or not further study,
 6   evaluation, or regulation is needed at that time;  and
 7   
 8       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
 9   Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the
10   House of Representatives, the President of the University of
11   Hawaii, the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and
12   Human Resources, the Chair of the Department of Agriculture,
13   the Director of the Department of Business Economic Development
14   and Tourism, the Director of the Department of Health, and the
15   Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
16 
17 
18 
19                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________