On December 6th, I sent this email to Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV2):
Monsanto has just hired a prominent former senator as their top lobbyist. I want to make sure you’ll keep listening to we the people before you listen to the corporate lobbyists who will work for whomever pays them the most.
A wide variety of genetically engineered and modified foods have entered the United States’ food system in enormous amounts. But in sharp contrast to 64 other nations that require labeling of these unnatural foods, consumers in the United States are in the dark and have no way of knowing whether the products they eat and feed their families are genetically engineered, and thus have no way of preventing that genetic engineering from triggering a deadly reaction to an existing food allergy.
Americans deserve to know what companies like Monsanto are hiding in the foods we feed our families. Require labeling of GMOs now!
Today, I got this email response:
Thank you for contacting me regarding genetically engineered (GE) foods. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.
As you may know, a GE food is one that has had its DNA modified for enhancement. Common GE modified foods include corn, wheat, and soy. Generally a GE food has been modified for faster growth, resistance to disease, additional production of nutrients or another benefit to the crop.
You may be interested to know that the government sometimes contracts with GE food producers to help produce food and strains of crop for countries suffering from drought and hunger. While I understand concern about the safety of food, there is a wide scientific consensus including studies done by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, the United States Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, and many others that GE foods are no less safe than conventional foods. Forcing companies to label their food differently when it has no proven negative health or safety effects would create unnecessary regulatory burden on our nations farm and food industry. (emphasis added)
As legislation regarding the labeling or banning of GE foods is considered by the full House of Representatives, please be assured I will keep your concerns in mind. (emphasis added … yeah right … like I forgot to read the statement above where he just blew me off.)
I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to apprise me of your opinions and hope that you will contact me again should you have any further comments or concerns. If you would like additional information on my activities in the House, please visit my website, www.Amodei.house.gov or connect with me on facebook.com/MarkAmodeiNV2 and twitter.com/MarkAmodeiNV2.
In closing, please know that I consider it a privilege to serve and represent you and your family in Congress.
Sincerely,
