46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN TO THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTS OF REQUIRING LABELING OF FOOD CONTAINING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED INGREDIENTS.

WHEREAS, the United States food and drug administration does not require genetically engineered foods to be safety-tested prior to the sale of those foods for human consumption; and

WHEREAS, polls consistently indicate that over eighty percent of Americans want genetically engineered foods to be labeled; and

WHEREAS, citizens in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, the fifteen European union nations and several other countries require labeling of genetically engineered foods; and

WHEREAS, scientists throughout the world warn of potential allergic reactions from the consumption of novel proteins in foods modified by genetic engineering; and

WHEREAS, genetically engineered foods contain antibiotic-resistant marker genes that could cause antibiotic resistance in humans; and

WHEREAS, genetically engineered foods often contain built-in pesticides lethal enough to kill insects eating the same crops being consumed by humans; and

WHEREAS, herbicide-resistant genetically engineered crops crossbreed with weeds, creating superweeds; and

WHEREAS, organically grown crops are being contaminated by cross-pollination from genetically engineered crops; and

WHEREAS, not enough research has been conducted to ensure the safety of genetically engineered foods;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to assign to the appropriate interim legislative committee a study of the feasibility and effects of requiring labeling of food containing genetically engineered and genetically modified ingredients; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate interim legislative committee seek the advice and cooperation of the department of health, the department of environment and the New Mexico department of agriculture; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study be completed by December 31, 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council, the secretary of health, the secretary of environment and the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture.