Main Idea

Prop 37 is about more than food. It is about our right to know what we are buying and consuming. We can squabble about the actual benefits and downfalls of genetically modified foods but no one can deny that we all should have the power to choose. Without the mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods, we are all kept in the dark. 

Some argue that there is no harm to genetic modification, and its fine if they think that way and don't mind putting that in their own and their families bodies. But for those of us who do care, we should have the option to remove ourselves from the science experiment. 

While it has been proven time and time again that consuming GMOs can cause serious health problems, like aggression of existing allergies, onset of new allergies and high body toxicity, there are still many unknowns about the horrors that could arise. In lab tests done on rats, the consumption of GMOs lead to tumors, organ failure and premature death. Its no wonder when you consider that a huge portion of the genetic modification done on food is to make it internally produce insecticide, which means that we are consuming chemicals designed to kill. 

In addition, to all of this, during the campaign for Prop 37, the companies that funded the No side were the ones who produce the chemicals and use GMO products to manufacture their food. 

Links

Here are some videos that further explain the benefits of Prop 37!

                           San Diego chefs talk about why whole food is important to them.

The video Monsanto (the largest funder of No on 37) does not want you to see

Here are some links to articles and petitions! 

GMOs give rats tumors, organ damage and lead to premature death

http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/09/19/gmos-give-rats-huge-tumors-organ-damage

The Huffington Post Hots a Debate about Prop 37

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/prop-37-huffpost-live-labeling-genetically-modified_n_2084354.html

Petition to tell the FDA not to allow GMO salmon in the US

http://www.takepart.com/actions/genetically-engineered-salmon-way-tell-fda-say-no

Ocean Roberts, an author and speaker for FoodRevolution.org explains how Monsanto may have tricked California voters about Prop 37.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ocean-robbins/monsanto-prop-37_b_2088934.html

The full list of every endorsement of Prop 37
http://www.carighttoknow.org/endorsements

Visual Argument

Hugh Grant is the CEO of Monsanto. He argues that the use of pesticides in GMOs allows for us to grow enough food for the entire world. If this were true, we would have fed everyone in the world many times over. This argument also ignores the fact that there are major health risks to consuming GMOs, as well as major health risks to those who grow and harvest the GMOs. 

Quotes

“The question of whether to label genetically engineered (GE) foods, as Proposition 37 would require, is not about science. Prop 37 is about people having the right to know what's in their food and how it was produced. It's about making competition in a free market - the hallmark of capitalism - more transparent," -Dr. Belinda Martineau, a a molecular geneticist who was principal scientist at Calgene, Inc. when they introduced the first genetically engineered food, the “Flavr Savr” tomato, in 1994

"Such labeling wouldn't result in siginificant increase in food costs, no matter what the industry tries to tell you. After all, food companies regularly change the labels in one way or another." - Los Angeles Times

-By Hannah 

About Our Group

 Hi I’m Andy, and I first became interested in the food industry and its effects when I became vegetarian at age sixteen after coming across an article on the PETA website. Mind you, I am not a fan of PETA and I only skimmed the article, but my realization of what I was eating hit me with such intensity that I was able to turn my back on eating meat indefinitely. 

A few months later I decided to learn more about where our food comes from. Not only did my findings convince me to become vegan, but I also learned about the way food is manipulated to yield the most profits and how this leads to the horrible mistreatment of both animals and workers and how terribly detrimental it is to the environment and to our health.

Food holds a direct link to our vitality, which is why I think we should know what is in the food we eat, including GMOs, so that we can make better dietary choices.

Hello, my name is Jasmine and I am a foodie (aka: person who is passionate about food). I grew up in a household that made food together and believed that meal time was also family time. Years spent growing up in the kitchen with my mom and dad taught me that food wasn't just good for the body, but it was good for the soul. However, like most things, food has it's downsides (and dark sides) too. I began learning about the dark truths of food with my mom, who at the time was trying to point our family in a healthier direction. We began learning about the affects that pesticides, antibiotics, and , of course, GMO's have on the food we eat and ultimately, us. Around the same time my best friend, who was a vegetarian, shared with me paper she wrote on the use of factory farms. All of this new, and scary, information really put food into a whole new light to me and my family. I became a vegetarian for about a year (I had to start eating meat again for health purposes) and my family started choosing organic foods. Though my family and I are now much more conscious about our food choices, meal time is still family time and the kitchen is still making new, and healthier, memories.

Hi I'm Hannah. The first time I encountered my passion for whole food was when I was nine. It was the first time I had ever planted a garden. My step-dad and I turned part of our backyard into a vegetable garden and for the next two years we grew a lot of our own food. As a child I learned about how food is grown and I developed an appreciation for how long it took my carrots, tomatoes, butternut squash and lettuce to grow. I remember after months of care and love that I put into watering and feeding my plants, I was so excited to share my hard work with my family by making a salad, entirely from my garden, for dinner. A lot of the time, kids grow up not knowing where their food comes from beyond the shinny, packaged shelves of the supermarket. I was privileged enough to not only learn how food is grown, but also have the experience of growing it myself. Thats sort of where my food journey began.
When I was high school, I saw a movie called Food Inc. (which I highly recommend to everyone. I have posted a link to their website below. Seriously, you all should see it. It will open your eyes to how the food is produced in this country). After seeing Food Inc. I became a vegan, only eating organic and locally when possible. From that film I learned about the many dangers of GMOs and decided I didn't want to put those in my body. However, much to my dismay, without proper labeling, its darn near impossible to manage that in the Uniter States. When Prop 37 came around I was sure it was going to pass; everyone wants to know what they are eating!  I am sorry to say that I was wrong and Prop 37 did not pass. I hope that in the near future law in this nation will change and everyone will have the right to know what they are putting into their bodies.

Here is a link to the Food Inc. website. Check it out!
http://www.takepart.com/foodinc

Hi I'm Jordan, and I try to pick healthy, non-genetically modified foods to eat. Growing up with chronic Lyme disease and hypoglycemia has forced me to be conscious of the foods I put into my body. That hasn't been hard, because from the day I was born, my family has always tried to eat organic foods, and that includes my first jar of baby food. Voting "yes" on Proposition 37 was a no-brainer for me, but I was upset when it didn't get passed. Consequently, I'm even more aware of GMOs, and will make sure to purchase organic foods whenever possible. I hope Americans will become more aware of the harms of GMOs, which include tumors and cancer according to research done by scientists in Europe.

Unfortunately, the initiative to require labeling of those ingredients is sloppily written. It contains language that, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office,could be construed by the courts to imply that processed foods could not be labeled as "natural" even if they weren't genetically engineered. Most of the burden for ensuring that foods are properly labeled would fall not on producers but on retailers, which would have to get written statements from their suppliers verifying that there were no bioengineered ingredients — a paperwork mandate that could make it hard for mom-and-pop groceries to stay in business. Enforcement would largely occur through lawsuits brought by members of the public who suspect grocers of selling unlabeled food, a messy and potentially expensive way to bring about compliance.

These are all valid arguments for rejecting Proposition 37, but a more important reason is that there is no rationale for singling out genetic engineering, of all the agricultural practices listed above, as the only one for which labeling should be required. So far, there is little if any evidence that changing a plant's or animal's genes through bioengineering, rather than through selective breeding, is dangerous to the people who consume it. In fact, some foods have been engineered specifically to remove allergens from the original version. By contrast, there is obvious reason to be worried about the fact that three-fourths of the antibiotics in this country are used to fatten and prevent disease in livestock,not to treat disease in people. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from overuse of pharmaceuticals poses a real threat to public health. So why label only the bioengineered foods? Because the group that wrote Proposition 37 happened to target them. What's needed is a consistent, rational food policy, not a piecemeal approach based on individual groups' pet concerns.

Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

         This is a piece of an article taken from the LA Times. It is true how Bio-engineered food seem to be the main target of prop 37, but foods treated with all the chemicals and pesticides that are known to be bad for us are ignored according to the proposition. Just having genetically engineered food labeled will do nothing, because the food companies will still use the chemicals they always use to keep their crop away from bugs. Bio-engineered food is still bad for someone's health, but the chemicals, like the infamous agent orange from Vietnam, are far worse for someone.

-Juan

I found this picture, and thought of how gross food can be. Just imagine all of the gene splicing taking place in a lab. It would not be a surprise if a person is on the news because their "fresh" tomato had fish bones in it.

-Juan

So even if Prop 37 didn't pass, the movement for GMO labeling is still growing.

It's just a matter of time.

-Andrea

Jordan B.

Introduction

The posts below include important information about GMOs, and I hope that it will help people learn more about what they are eating, and want their food labeled.

10 Things Monsanto Does Not Want You to Know

(Organic Consumers Association)

1 No GMO Labeling Laws in the US

Foods containing GMOs don’t have to be labeled in the US. Monsanto has fought hard to prevent labeling laws. This is alarming, since approximately 70% of processed foods in the US now contain GMO ingredients. The European Union, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and many other nations now require mandatory GMO labeling. 

2 Lack of Adequate Safety Testing 

In May 1992, Vice President Dan Quayle announced the FDA’s anti consumer right-to-know policy which stated that GMO foods need not be labeled nor safety-tested. Meanwhile, prominent scientists such as Arpad Pusztai and Gilles-Eric Seralini have publicized alarming research revealing severe damage to animals fed GMO foods. 

3 Monsanto Puts Small Farmers out of Business

Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian farmer whose canola fields were contaminated with Monsanto’s Round-Up Ready Canola by pollen from a nearby GMO farm. Monsanto successfully argued in a lawsuit that Schmeiser violated their patent rights, and tried to force Schmeiser to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. This type of biotech bullying is happening all over North America.

4 Monsanto Products Pollute the Developing World

Monsanto’s deadly legacy includes the production of Agent Orange and DDT. Now massive aerial spraying of Roundup in Colombia is being used by the US and the Colombian government as a counter-insurgency tactic, contaminating food crops and poisoning villagers.

5 Monsanto Blocking Government Regulations

A revolving door exists between Monsanto and US regulatory and judicial bodies making key decisions. Justice Clarence Thomas, a former Monsanto lawyer, was the one who wrote the majority opinion on a key Monsanto case. Michael Taylor once worked for the FDA, later represented Monsanto as a lawyer, then returned as the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Policy when rBGH was granted approval. ▶

6 Monsanto Guilty of False Advertising

France’s highest court ruled in 2009 that Monsanto had lied about the safety of its weed killer Roundup. The court confirmed an earlier judgment that Monsanto had falsely advertised its herbicide as “biodegradable”.

7 Consumers Reject Bovine Growth Hormone 

In the wake of mass consumer pressure, major retailers such as Safeway, Publix, Wal-Mart, and Kroger banned store brand milk products containing Monsanto’s controversial genetically engineered hormone rBGH. Starbucks, under pressure from the OCA and our allies, has likewise banned rBGH milk. 

8 GMO Crops Do Not Increase Yields 

A major UN/World Bank-sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change. Better alternatives are available, and the report championed organic farming as the sustainable way forward for developing countries.

9 Monsanto Controls US Soy Market

In 1996, when Monsanto began selling Roundup Ready soybeans, only 2% of soybeans in the US contained their patented gene. By 2008, over 90% of soybeans in the US contained Monsanto’s gene. 

10 GMO Foods May Lead to Food Allergies

In March 1999, UK researchers at the York Laboratory were alarmed to discover that reactions to soy had skyrocketed by 50% over the previous year. Genetically modified soy had recently entered the UK from US imports and the soy used in the study was largely GM.

This is a self explanatory list of the most important details that Monsanto really doesn't want people to know.

Prop 37 Fundings

A list of the backers from both sides of prop 37. To see the full list, take a look at the link below.

Supporters

Organic Consumers Fund

California Teachers Union

California State Council of Service Employees Issues Committee

Organic Consumers Association

Nutiva Inc.

Stonyfield Farm

Amy's Kitchen

Annie's Inc.

Etc.

Opponents

Monsanto Company

Pepsico, Inc.

Coca-Cola North America

Clorox Company

Sara Lee Corporation

Campbell Soup Company

Sunny Delight Beverages Company

Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

Etc.

http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-37-funding-genetically-engineered-food.html

Monsanto’s GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure

http://www.inquisitr.com/272568/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked-to-organ-failure-study-shows/

Did you know?

While the U.S. doesn’t require labeling of GMOs, there are 50 countries that do. Some such as: Mexico; China; India; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Japan; Brazil; Australia; and all of the European Union. Just something to think about…
Jordan B.

Quotes

“Any scientist who tells you they know that GMOs are safe and not to worry about it, is either ignorant of the history of science or is deliberately lying. Nobody knows what the long-term effect will be.” – Geneticist, David Suzuki, giving the 2008 Commonwealth Lecture in London

This is a strong statement that makes clear that, while scientists are genetically modifying our food, it is quite harmful, and we don't even know for sure how it will affect us in the long-run.

Videos

Through sarcasm and satire, this video was trying to impress upon people that we should have the right to know what's in our food, and that means being able to have labels that actually tell us, whether something is genetically modified or not. Unfortunately, this was an ad for Prop 37, which didn't get passed.

Images

(Click On Images To View Them Larger)

These are ten of the most commonly handed out candies during Halloween. It makes one realize that even the candy we give to children, contains genetically modified ingredients, that can harm them.

I believe that this editorial cartoon expresses the truth about Monsanto's story, past and present, but in an ominous way.

Conclusion

This research done by the Organic Consumers Association, goes in depth about the process of genetic engineering. It is frightening to discover the insidious ways Monsanto creates and sell their altered food to the public. I hope that with more and more Americans learning the truth about GMOs, eventually we can get food to be labeled in the U.S.

What’s wrong with Genetic Engineering? (Organic Consumers Association) 

Genetic engineering is a radical technology that breaks down genetic barriers between humans, plants and animals. Once released, these genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can easily spread and interbreed with other organisms, and they are virtually impossible to recall back to the laboratory.

Monsanto provides roughly 90% of GMO seeds in the world. These seeds have been genetically modified to produce their own pesticide or survive repeated spraying of their toxic herbicide Roundup. Monsanto’s GMOs are not designed to increase yields to feed the world, but rather to increase Monsanto’s profits by increasing the use of chemicals such as Roundup and selling their high-priced patented seeds which farmers must buy every year.

Due to the enormous political clout of Monsanto, the American public is being denied the right to know whether their foods are genetically engineered or not. Following is a list of 10 facts about Monsanto and GMOs, and how they can adversely affect your health, local farmers, and the planet. 

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Jordan B.

Here is a video that delves into both sides of the people voting either for or against prop 37. It is not biased in an y way and simply provides facts on both arguments.
- Juan

Reasons why you SHOULDN'T want GMO labeling

The video is sarcastic, of course, so it's entertaining :)

-Andrea

Cons of Proposition 37

       Proposition 37 is very promising with the fact that people will now know what they are eating, but there are still flaws to it, which give great reason to vote against it. According to the LA times, the proposition is worded so that courts can construct it so processed food can't be labeled as "natural" even if they do not use GMO's. Laws should be constructed well, so there are very tiny if none loopholes, otherwise, they are completely broken. If anything is to be done, the law should be revised so that the defects are almost, if not gone.
       
       Most of the burden to ensure that foods with GMO's are properly labeled would fall into the hands of the retailers. This would also make it difficult for a mom-and-pop store to stay open because they have to receive paper mandates to verify the food was not genetically engineered. 

       Another thing to note, is the fact that Proposition 37 will be enforced in the wrong way. There is no incentive for a store to label the "unhealthy" genetically modified food other than the fact that they would get sued for not doing it. If there are constant "shakedown lawsuits", then the labeling of GMO products would end up costing more than remaining unaware of the GMO's.

      There are also exemptions in what GMO products should be labeled. Dog food needs a label stating the GMO's contained in it, but fresh produce such as; apples, meat, carrots, etc. are exceptions to the rule and do not need labels. what's the point of a law that promotes labeling  GMO's, if the food that everyone wants to know about doesn't need to be labeled?

- Juan

Okay, so maybe after all this, your'e still not convinced...

Maybe you think we're just a bunch of paranoid hippies.
Well, no, we're not.
Research on the effects of GMOs is still young.
It may be years until we really start seeing the long-term effects of GMOs.
And who is going to be the ones dealing with these GMO-related health problems?
The children and youths of today.
They've grown up eating GMOs all their life.
Are we really going to take the "let's wait and see" approach?

I dare you to watch this video and not feel a tinge of shame for the nation.

"The US has a long history of saying, 'Oh, these substances are perfectly fine!' and then dealing with the consequences later." -Dr. Michael Hansen

-Andrea

Here's something to get you into the holiday spirit

If you didn't know already, Agent Orange was an herbicide and defoliant used in the Vietnam War as a form of chemical warfare.

It has killed/maimed at least 400,000 and has caused 500,000 birth defects in Vietnam, making it "one of the deadliest concoctions on record" (naturalsociety.com)

But nowww the same herbicide is used in Monsanto's GMOs. And we're eating them.

I don't know about you, but I think that's a little disturbing.

However, you  might be surprised to know that Monsanto actually supported GMO labeling in Europe back in 1997, because they were proud of their biotechnological advances, and they wanted everyone to know about them.

But now things have changed. Monsanto was the number one sponsor for the No on Prop 37 campaign, contributing over $7,000,000 against GMO labeling. 

Large corporations like Monsanto are willing to surrender this much money because they're scared of public awareness. Even if Prop 37 didn't pass, more people each day are learning the truth about GMOs.

-Andrea

Here's a cartoon to support one of Jasmine's posts, based on the allegation that GMOs help feed a growing population.

As you can see, it's just another silly claim to defend their use of GMOs. 

- Andrea

The commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994. Though, even at the beginning of the "GMO Age"  people had their doubts, and it was rightly so. Throughout the years more and more evidence has been collected and concluded about the side effects and potential dangers of eating and using GMOs. Many people know this and are fighting everyday against the companies who produce and support GMO use and production. I am one of these people. I support organic and local produce that is grown with no pesticides, antibiotics, and is not genetically modified. I hope this blog inspires it's readers to join me, my group, and the many others on this quest for a healthier world.

By:Jasmine M.

Would GMO labeling really increase food prices?

So one of the main arguments against Prop 37 was that if the Proposition passed, the typical California household would see an annual increase of $350 to $400 on their grocery bills. 

This allegation seems rather silly because, honestly, how much would it really cost to add "contains genetically modified corn" on the back of a cereal box?

However, the claim that GMO labeling would increase prices is mostly based on the assumption that many companies would switch to costlier non-GMO ingredients to avoid the GMO labels.

However, it has been noted that companies that exist in both the U.S. and in European countries that do require GMO labeling haven't experienced these predicted price changes as a result of GMO labeling.

Here's a short video that talks a little more about this

By: Andrea P.

 By:Jasmine M.

Non-GMO Shopping Guide

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/shopping-guide.html

By:Jasmine M.

How to Avoid GMO's while Eating Out!

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/dine-out-non-gmo.html 

By:Jasmine M.

“If you put a label on genetically engineered food you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it.”

- Norman Braksick, president of Asgrow Seed Co., a subsidiary of Monsanto, quoted in the Kansas City Star, March 7, 1994

By: Jasmine M.

Top 10 Worst GMO Foods

http://naturalsociety.com/top-10-worst-gmo-foods-list/

By: Jasmine M.

10 reasons why GM won't feed the world

http://www.saynotogmos.org/10reasons_feed.pdf

One of the main arguments that corporations, who produce genetically modified foods, use is that it allows them to produce more food for the growing population. Check out the link to see how this isn't the case!

By: Jasmine M.

GMO Myths and Truths

http://www.saynotogmos.org/ud2012/fp-content/docs/GMO_Myths_and_Truths_1.1.pdf

By: Jasmine M.

In this cartoon, it shows the satire of the corporations who produce genetically modified foods. If the foods really are good for you, then why refuse labeling them?

By: Jasmine M.