Report Title:

Genetic Engineering; Study

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to assess long term effects of allowing genetic engineering to occur in the State.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1408

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for a genetic engineering assessment.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that genetic engineering is a new science that has not received any long term evaluation of the effects on the health of human bodies, other living creatures, and the environment. Japan, the European Union, and the majority of other nations in the world are limiting, if not barring, the imports of genetically engineered foods into their respective countries and questioning the safety of genetic engineering technology upon our health and environment.

The legislature also finds that the drift of pollen from genetically engineered crops has been scientifically documented to extend two or more miles away from such plantings, and therefore poses potential risks to the organic farm industry and other farms not using genetically engineered crops, including industrial and home plantings. In addition to the potential effects on Hawaii's agriculture industry, genetic engineering could also have unforeseen effects on Hawaii's precious native ecosystems and the biodiversity of our sensitive island environments. The health and purity of our islands' ecosystems should be assured top priority before the State of Hawaii ventures down the road of untested biotechnology.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to conduct an assessment and evaluation of the potential long term effects of allowing genetic engineering to occur in the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to conduct an assessment and evaluation of the potential long term effects of allowing genetic engineering to occur in the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The University of Hawaii cooperative extension service, the department of agriculture, and the department of business economic development and tourism shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources. The University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources shall report all work, ongoing or planned, with genetic engineering and associated technology to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2002 Regular Session.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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