1. Politics, Pseudoscience and Corporate Cash: The Defeat of Oregon’s Measure 27 (Requiring Labeling of Genetically-Modified Foods) Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP Old Town Clinic Portland State University Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

2. Measure 27 November, 2002 Oregon ballot November, 2002 Oregon ballot Required labeling of genetically-engineered foods sold or distributed in the state Required labeling of genetically-engineered foods sold or distributed in the state Wholesale and retail, e.g., supermarkets Wholesale and retail, e.g., supermarkets Not cafeterias, restaurants, prisons, bake sales, etc. Not cafeterias, restaurants, prisons, bake sales, etc.

3. Measure 27 Defeated 73% to 27% Defeated 73% to 27% Surprising, since multiple polls conducted by the news media, government and industry show from 85-95% of US citizens favor labeling Surprising, since multiple polls conducted by the news media, government and industry show from 85-95% of US citizens favor labeling 2008 NY Times/CBS News poll: 53% of Americans would not eat GM foods 2008 NY Times/CBS News poll: 53% of Americans would not eat GM foods

4. Measure 27 Opponents outspent proponents $5.3 million to $200,000 Opponents outspent proponents $5.3 million to $200,000 Vast majority of opposition funding from corporations headquartered outside state: Vast majority of opposition funding from corporations headquartered outside state: Monsanto, Dupont, Syngenia, Dow Agro Sciences, BASF, Aventis, Hoechst, and Bayer Crop Science Monsanto, Dupont, Syngenia, Dow Agro Sciences, BASF, Aventis, Hoechst, and Bayer Crop Science

5. Measure 27 Aided by PR and political professionals Aided by PR and political professionals Hid behind scientific-sounding “advocacy” groups – e.g., The Council for Biotechnology Information Hid behind scientific-sounding “advocacy” groups – e.g., The Council for Biotechnology Information

6. Corporate Opposition to Measure 27 Vested interest in spreading deliberate misinformation about the initiative to keep the public ignorant of the adverse consequences of their profit-driven manipulation of the world’s food supply

7. Measure 27 Opponents’ Other Activities Chemical weapons: Chemical weapons: Hoechst (mustard gas), Monsanto (Agent Orange), Dow (napalm) Hoechst (mustard gas), Monsanto (Agent Orange), Dow (napalm) Pesticides: Pesticides: Monsanto (DDT) Monsanto (DDT) Ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons: Ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons: Dupont and Hoechst major producers Dupont and Hoechst major producers Agricultural Antibiotics: Agricultural Antibiotics: Many companies Many companies

8. Opposition Tactics Claimed measure would unfairly hurt Oregon farmers, grocers, restaurants, schools and non-profit groups Claimed measure would unfairly hurt Oregon farmers, grocers, restaurants, schools and non-profit groups No commercial GE crops grown in Oregon No commercial GE crops grown in Oregon Grocers, restaurants, schools and non- profit groups not affected Grocers, restaurants, schools and non- profit groups not affected

9. Opposition Tactics Funded commercial diatribes describing increased, onerous and complicated government oversight Funded commercial diatribes describing increased, onerous and complicated government oversight Frightened public with unfounded fears of tax increases of up to $1500 per family Frightened public with unfounded fears of tax increases of up to $1500 per family Realistic estimates $4 - $10/person/year Realistic estimates $4 - $10/person/year

10. Opposition Tactics Accused Measure’s supporters of being “against national policy and scientific consensus” Accused Measure’s supporters of being “against national policy and scientific consensus” Argued that labels would provide “unreliable, useless information that would unnecessarily confuse, mislead and alarm consumers” Argued that labels would provide “unreliable, useless information that would unnecessarily confuse, mislead and alarm consumers”

11. Opposition Tactics Claimed USDA, EPA and FDA evaluate safety of GE products from inception to “final approval” Claimed USDA, EPA and FDA evaluate safety of GE products from inception to “final approval” USDA deals with field testing, EPA with environmental concerns, FDA considers GE foods equivalent to non-GE foods USDA deals with field testing, EPA with environmental concerns, FDA considers GE foods equivalent to non-GE foods FDA (1992): Declared GM foods “substantially equivalent to regular foods” FDA (1992): Declared GM foods “substantially equivalent to regular foods”

12. Opposition Tactics All rely on safety tests done by companies making GE products All rely on safety tests done by companies making GE products Corporations are not required to report results to government Corporations are not required to report results to government

13. Corporations Dominate Oregon Politics Second lowest corporate taxes of all US states Second lowest corporate taxes of all US states Oregon corporate income taxes have decreased by 40% over the past 12 years Oregon corporate income taxes have decreased by 40% over the past 12 years Large cuts in public services Large cuts in public services Corporations outspend labor unions 5-1 and massively outspend all other progressive groups and causes put together Corporations outspend labor unions 5-1 and massively outspend all other progressive groups and causes put together Oregon is one of only six states to allow unlimited corporate campaign contributions Oregon is one of only six states to allow unlimited corporate campaign contributions

14. Post-Measure 27 Activities Ongoing vigorous lobbying campaign to pass bill pre-empting any locality in Oregon from passing a labeling bill Ongoing vigorous lobbying campaign to pass bill pre-empting any locality in Oregon from passing a labeling bill Nationwide: lawsuits against farmers Nationwide: lawsuits against farmers Supported by 75 employee, $10 million legal division at Monsanto Supported by 75 employee, $10 million legal division at Monsanto Most farmers settle; settlement terms often sealed Most farmers settle; settlement terms often sealed

15. Food Labeling in the U.S. Vitamin, mineral, caloric and fat content Vitamin, mineral, caloric and fat content Sulfites (allergies) Sulfites (allergies) Source of proteins (vegetarians) Source of proteins (vegetarians) No labeling required for GM foods, products from animals fed GM foods No labeling required for GM foods, products from animals fed GM foods

16. GE Food Labeling Worldwide Most processed foods available in the U.S. today come from GM crops Most processed foods available in the U.S. today come from GM crops European Union has required labeling since 1998 European Union has required labeling since 1998 European Court of Justice rules public must have access to information re the location of GM crops (2009) European Court of Justice rules public must have access to information re the location of GM crops (2009)

17. GE Food Labeling Worldwide Japan, China, Australia, South Africa, and many other countries also require labels Japan, China, Australia, South Africa, and many other countries also require labels Yet Japan allows 5% GMO contamination, loopholes exempt 90% of Australian foods from labeling, etc. Yet Japan allows 5% GMO contamination, loopholes exempt 90% of Australian foods from labeling, etc. Many countries ban the planting and/or import of GE foods from the U.S. and elsewhere Many countries ban the planting and/or import of GE foods from the U.S. and elsewhere EU considering lifting ban; U.S. suing E.U. through WTO EU considering lifting ban; U.S. suing E.U. through WTO

18. Benefits of Labeling GE Foods Prevent allergic reactions Prevent allergic reactions Soybeans modified with Brazil nut genes Soybeans modified with Brazil nut genes Allow vegetarians to avoid animal genes Allow vegetarians to avoid animal genes Tomatoes with flounder genes Tomatoes with flounder genes Permit concerned individuals to avoid milk from rBGH-treated cattle Permit concerned individuals to avoid milk from rBGH-treated cattle Risks to humans, cattle and the environment Risks to humans, cattle and the environment

19. Benefits of Labeling GE Foods Heighten public awareness of genetic engineering Heighten public awareness of genetic engineering Millions of Americans eat GM foods every day without knowing it Millions of Americans eat GM foods every day without knowing it Only 24% of Americans believe they have eaten GM foods Only 24% of Americans believe they have eaten GM foods

20. Benefits of Labeling GE Foods Grant people freedom to choose what they eat based on individual willingness to confront risk Grant people freedom to choose what they eat based on individual willingness to confront risk Ensure healthy public debate over the merits of genetic modification of foodstuffs Ensure healthy public debate over the merits of genetic modification of foodstuffs

21. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Allergies and toxicities from new proteins entering the food supply Allergies and toxicities from new proteins entering the food supply EMS from GE-L-tryptophan supplements in 1980s EMS from GE-L-tryptophan supplements in 1980s FDA covered up FDA covered up Bt corn increases sensitivity of mammals to other allergens Bt corn increases sensitivity of mammals to other allergens GM peas cause lung inflammation in mice – trial stopped GM peas cause lung inflammation in mice – trial stopped New, allergenic proteins in GE soy in South Korea New, allergenic proteins in GE soy in South Korea Soy allergies jumped 50% after introduction of GE soy into UK Soy allergies jumped 50% after introduction of GE soy into UK

22. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Secret Monsanto report found that rats fed a diet rich in GM corn had smaller kidneys and unusually high white blood cell counts Secret Monsanto report found that rats fed a diet rich in GM corn had smaller kidneys and unusually high white blood cell counts Monsanto UK employee cafeteria GM-free Monsanto UK employee cafeteria GM-free Monsanto CEO eats organics Monsanto CEO eats organics Russian Academy of Sciences report found up to six-fold increase in death and severe underweight in infants of mothers fed GM soy Russian Academy of Sciences report found up to six-fold increase in death and severe underweight in infants of mothers fed GM soy

23. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Altered nutritional value of foodstuffs Altered nutritional value of foodstuffs Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes into intestinal bacteria or other organisms, contributing to antibiotic resistance in human pathogens Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes into intestinal bacteria or other organisms, contributing to antibiotic resistance in human pathogens

24. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Increased pesticide use when pests inevitably develop resistance to GE food toxins Increased pesticide use when pests inevitably develop resistance to GE food toxins Reproductive and neurotoxic effects Reproductive and neurotoxic effects Greater herbicide use – confirmed by multiple studies Greater herbicide use – confirmed by multiple studies Glyphosphate and Roundup toxic to placenta Glyphosphate and Roundup toxic to placenta

25. GM crops and Pesticide Use Overall pesticide use up 4.1% (122 million pound increase since 1996) Overall pesticide use up 4.1% (122 million pound increase since 1996) Pesticide use down in Bt crops, herbicide use up in herbicide- tolerant (e.g., Roundup Ready) crops Pesticide use down in Bt crops, herbicide use up in herbicide- tolerant (e.g., Roundup Ready) crops

26. Bt Plants Bt cotton destroyed by mealy bug; harvests in India decline dramatically, leading to rash of suicides among farmers Bt cotton destroyed by mealy bug; harvests in India decline dramatically, leading to rash of suicides among farmers Bt corn more susceptible to aphids Bt corn more susceptible to aphids Monsanto pays fines for bribing Indonesian and Turkish officials to accept Bt plants Monsanto pays fines for bribing Indonesian and Turkish officials to accept Bt plants

27. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Acrylamide released from polyacrylamide (added to commercial herbicide mixtures to reduce spray drift) = neurotoxin, reproductive toxin, and carcinogen Acrylamide released from polyacrylamide (added to commercial herbicide mixtures to reduce spray drift) = neurotoxin, reproductive toxin, and carcinogen Non-target insects dying from exposure to pesticide-resistant crops Non-target insects dying from exposure to pesticide-resistant crops Ripple effects on other organisms Ripple effects on other organisms Bt crops may contribute to colony collapse disorder among honeybees Bt crops may contribute to colony collapse disorder among honeybees

28. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Genes, initially designed to protect crops from herbicides, being transferred to native weeds Genes, initially designed to protect crops from herbicides, being transferred to native weeds Create herbicide-resistant “superweeds” (8 species identified by 2005, 5 in the U.S.) Create herbicide-resistant “superweeds” (8 species identified by 2005, 5 in the U.S.) Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape has transferred gene to charlock weeks in U.K. Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape has transferred gene to charlock weeks in U.K. Glyphosate (Roundup)-resistant pigweed in MO and GA, ryegrass in CA, maretail in multiple states Glyphosate (Roundup)-resistant pigweed in MO and GA, ryegrass in CA, maretail in multiple states

29. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods GE plants and animals interbreeding with wild relatives GE plants and animals interbreeding with wild relatives Spread novel genes into wild populations Spread novel genes into wild populations Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape genes found in turnips Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape genes found in turnips 21% of U.S. farmers in violation of EPA rule requiring GE fields to contain at least 20% non-GE crop 21% of U.S. farmers in violation of EPA rule requiring GE fields to contain at least 20% non-GE crop ¼ to 1/3 of Mexican corn samples contaminated; Columbian coca plants ¼ to 1/3 of Mexican corn samples contaminated; Columbian coca plants

30. Failure of Regulatory Oversight “The Department of Agriculture has failed to regulate field trials of GE crops adequately” “The Department of Agriculture has failed to regulate field trials of GE crops adequately” Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, 1/06 Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, 1/06

32. 2007 GM Crop Incidents 39 contamination incidents 39 contamination incidents 11 illegal releases 11 illegal releases

33. GE Crop Failures Bt cotton in India, leading to epidemic of suicides Bt cotton in India, leading to epidemic of suicides Three varieties of Monsanto’s GM maize failed to produce crops in 2008/9 in South Africa Three varieties of Monsanto’s GM maize failed to produce crops in 2008/9 in South Africa Commercial farmers compensated, but barred from speaking to media or public Commercial farmers compensated, but barred from speaking to media or public Others Others

34. Biopharming The engineering of plants to produce pharmaceuticals such as enzymes, antibiotics, contraceptives, abortifacients, antibodies, chemotherapeutic agents, other medications, and vaccines The engineering of plants to produce pharmaceuticals such as enzymes, antibiotics, contraceptives, abortifacients, antibodies, chemotherapeutic agents, other medications, and vaccines Other organisms Other organisms Fish: tilapia/clotting factor VII Fish: tilapia/clotting factor VII Cattle: biopharming via milk Cattle: biopharming via milk

35. Biopharming 400 products under development 400 products under development Over 300 open-air tests Over 300 open-air tests USDA conceals crop locations from public and neighboring farmers, in most cases hides identity of drug or chemical being tested, citing trade secrets USDA conceals crop locations from public and neighboring farmers, in most cases hides identity of drug or chemical being tested, citing trade secrets

36. Biopharming Even state agriculture regulators often unaware of info re drug or chemical involved Even state agriculture regulators often unaware of info re drug or chemical involved HI judge ordered USDA to disclose location of biopharmed crops as part of lawsuit HI judge ordered USDA to disclose location of biopharmed crops as part of lawsuit

37. Biopharming 10 states + Puerto Rico; others soon 10 states + Puerto Rico; others soon Hawaii – most tests; most fragile ecosystem Hawaii – most tests; most fragile ecosystem Cases of food crop contamination reported Cases of food crop contamination reported

38. Famine and GE Foods Food dictators who control GE seeds and plants attempted, through the UNFAO and the WHO, to use the famines in Zambia and Angola to market GE foods through aid programs, even though… Food dictators who control GE seeds and plants attempted, through the UNFAO and the WHO, to use the famines in Zambia and Angola to market GE foods through aid programs, even though… More than 45 African (and other) countries expressed a willingness to supply local, non-GE relief More than 45 African (and other) countries expressed a willingness to supply local, non-GE relief

39. Famine and GE Foods Zambia and Angola did not wish to pollute its crops with GE foods, which would have prevented it from exporting home- grown crops to many other countries which do not accept GE imports (further weakening its already fragile economy) Zambia and Angola did not wish to pollute its crops with GE foods, which would have prevented it from exporting home- grown crops to many other countries which do not accept GE imports (further weakening its already fragile economy) Zimbabwe and Malawi have also refused GM food aid Zimbabwe and Malawi have also refused GM food aid

40. GE Foods and World Hunger GE foods promoted as the solution to world hunger GE foods promoted as the solution to world hunger No commercially available GE crop that is drought-resistant, salt- or flood- tolerant, or which increases yields (USDA) No commercially available GE crop that is drought-resistant, salt- or flood- tolerant, or which increases yields (USDA)

41. GE Foods and World Hunger UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (2008): Poverty exacerbated by GM seeds UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (2008): Poverty exacerbated by GM seeds UN International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (2008): “GE crops are unlikely to achieve the goal of feeding a hungry world” UN International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (2008): “GE crops are unlikely to achieve the goal of feeding a hungry world”

42. GE Foods and World Hunger GE crops undermine food and nutritional security, food sovereignty and food democracy GE crops undermine food and nutritional security, food sovereignty and food democracy Increasing reliance on GE food Increasing reliance on GE food Consolidates corporate control of agriculture Consolidates corporate control of agriculture Transmogrifies farmers into bioserfs Transmogrifies farmers into bioserfs

43. GE Foods and World Hunger World food prices rising dramatically World food prices rising dramatically US food bank demand up, supplies down US food bank demand up, supplies down Future wars Future wars World hunger will not be solved through large- scale molecular manipulation of food crops whose cultivation has been carefully perfected over 10,000 years World hunger will not be solved through large- scale molecular manipulation of food crops whose cultivation has been carefully perfected over 10,000 years

44. GE Foods and World Hunger There is already enough food to feed the planet There is already enough food to feed the planet UN FAO: Enough food to provide over 2700 calories/day to every person UN FAO: Enough food to provide over 2700 calories/day to every person Feeding everyone requires political and social will Feeding everyone requires political and social will Irony that the U.S., home to many GE firms, has rates of child poverty and hunger among the highest in the industrialized world Irony that the U.S., home to many GE firms, has rates of child poverty and hunger among the highest in the industrialized world

45. 2008 US Farm Bill Cost = $289 billion over 5 yrs. Cost = $289 billion over 5 yrs. Most goes to large agribusiness Most goes to large agribusiness Crop subsidies ($43 billion) allow land to lie fallow, artificially inflate prices Crop subsidies ($43 billion) allow land to lie fallow, artificially inflate prices

46. 2008 US Farm Bill Crop insurance ($23 billion) Crop insurance ($23 billion) Foreign food aid < $200 million Foreign food aid < $200 million US total just over $2 billion (half of all international food aid) US total just over $2 billion (half of all international food aid)

47. Monetization and Food Aid US food aid purchased from already- subsidized US agribusiness US food aid purchased from already- subsidized US agribusiness US shipping lines transport food to aid organizations in developing countries US shipping lines transport food to aid organizations in developing countries Undermines local farmers and destabilizes local agriculture Undermines local farmers and destabilizes local agriculture

48. Monetization and Food Aid EU has almost entirely phased out monetization EU has almost entirely phased out monetization UN World Food Programme (the world’s largest distributor of food aid) has rejected monetization and refuses monetized food aid UN World Food Programme (the world’s largest distributor of food aid) has rejected monetization and refuses monetized food aid

49. Solutions Outlaw GM crops Outlaw GM crops Labeling laws Labeling laws Allow informed consumer choice Allow informed consumer choice Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s House bills to require labeling, expand FDA oversight, increase regulations re biopharming, and expand research to help developing nations feed themselves Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s House bills to require labeling, expand FDA oversight, increase regulations re biopharming, and expand research to help developing nations feed themselves

50. Solutions Expose and oppose industry attempts to pre-empt labeling initiatives/laws Expose and oppose industry attempts to pre-empt labeling initiatives/laws New ballot initiatives and legislation New ballot initiatives and legislation Marin, Mendocino and Trinity Counties (CA) ban GMO crops Marin, Mendocino and Trinity Counties (CA) ban GMO crops Vermont now requires manufacturers of GM seeds to label and register their products Vermont now requires manufacturers of GM seeds to label and register their products ME enacts moratorium on outdoor planting of biopharmed crops (2009) ME enacts moratorium on outdoor planting of biopharmed crops (2009)

51. Solutions New ballot initiatives and legislation New ballot initiatives and legislation Ireland pledges to go GM-free – 2007 Ireland pledges to go GM-free – 2007 Scotland, Austria and Greece prohibit planting of GM organisms Scotland, Austria and Greece prohibit planting of GM organisms Moscow now requires labeling of GM foods Moscow now requires labeling of GM foods Hawaii County Council moratorium on GE taro and coffee Hawaii County Council moratorium on GE taro and coffee

52. Solutions USDA is considering blocking imports of GMOs into US (even though many are the same products of US and multinational corporations already planted in the US) USDA is considering blocking imports of GMOs into US (even though many are the same products of US and multinational corporations already planted in the US) Reasons: Reasons: Foreign GMOs would threaten US agriculture Foreign GMOs would threaten US agriculture They may affect the health of US citizens They may affect the health of US citizens The may affect the environment The may affect the environment

53. Solutions Campaign finance reform Campaign finance reform Public education Public education Sound environmental education to counter corporate-sponsored curricula and greenwash Sound environmental education to counter corporate-sponsored curricula and greenwash Activism Activism e.g., Oregon PSR’s Campaign for Safe Foods – Biopharm Bill, rBGH Campaign e.g., Oregon PSR’s Campaign for Safe Foods – Biopharm Bill, rBGH Campaign Religious opposition: e.g., GM one of “seven modern deadly sins” per Catholic Church Religious opposition: e.g., GM one of “seven modern deadly sins” per Catholic Church

54. Solutions Support local, organic agriculture and patronize farmers’ markets Support local, organic agriculture and patronize farmers’ markets Consumer-supported agriculture co-ops Consumer-supported agriculture co-ops Consumers willing to pay substantial premiums to avoid GE foods Consumers willing to pay substantial premiums to avoid GE foods

55. Solutions Oppose IMF, World Bank, and WTO structural adjustment programs which exacerbate hunger in the developing world by forcing debtor nations to restructure their agricultural base toward export crops and away from nutritional foodstuffs for local consumption Oppose IMF, World Bank, and WTO structural adjustment programs which exacerbate hunger in the developing world by forcing debtor nations to restructure their agricultural base toward export crops and away from nutritional foodstuffs for local consumption

56. Solutions Support increased research and subsidies for alternative agriculture Support increased research and subsidies for alternative agriculture Support equitable distribution of agricultural resources among populations worldwide Support equitable distribution of agricultural resources among populations worldwide Support increased, non-GM agricultural aid to developing nations Support increased, non-GM agricultural aid to developing nations

57. Reference/Website Donohoe MT. Genetically-Modified Foods: Health and Environmental Risks and the Corporate Agribusiness Agenda. Z Magazine 2006 (December):35-40. Available at http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Dec2006/donohoe1206.html Donohoe MT. Genetically-Modified Foods: Health and Environmental Risks and the Corporate Agribusiness Agenda. Z Magazine 2006 (December):35-40. Available at http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Dec2006/donohoe1206.html http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Dec2006/donohoe1206.html Campaign for Safe Food, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility: http://www.oregonpsr.org/programs/campaignSafeFood.html Campaign for Safe Food, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility: http://www.oregonpsr.org/programs/campaignSafeFood.html http://www.oregonpsr.org/programs/campaignSafeFood.html See also slide show entitled GMOs, biopharming, and rBGH for a more comprehensive review See also slide show entitled GMOs, biopharming, and rBGH for a more comprehensive review

58. Contact Information Public Health and Social Justice Website http://www.phsj.org martindonohoe@phsj.org