Resolution: 509
(A-11)
Introduced by: Indiana Delegation
Subject: Supporting Legislation and / or Regulations that Require
Clearly Labeling Food with Genetically Engineered Ingredients Referred to: Reference Committee E
(Robyn F. Chatman, MD, Chair)

Whereas, Lack of labeling denies health professionals the ability to trace potential toxic1 or allergic reactions2,3,4 to, and other adverse health effects5,6,7 from, genetically engineered food; and

Whereas, The World Health Organization issued warnings on the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in genetically engineered food8; and

Whereas, In order to make informed decisions, the public needs to be made aware of the contents of their food just as patients need to be aware of the risks, benefits and alternatives to their medical and surgical treatments; and

Whereas, Crop scientists complain that they must ask biotechnology corporations for permission before conducting or publishing independent research on genetically engineered crops9,10; and

Whereas, 40 countries require labeling of genetically engineered food, including the European Union, Australia, Japan, Russia, China, New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa11; and

Whereas, The American Public Health Association12, American Nurses Association13, the British Medical Association14 and the Irish Medical Organization15 support the labeling of genetically engineered food products; and

Whereas, Catholic Healthcare West (a network of 41 hospitals and 10,000 physicians) avoids genetically engineered food and advocates for public policies that include the labeling of genetically engineered food16; and

Whereas, 304 U.S. hospitals and medical centers have signed the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge, encouraging vendors to supply food that is produced without genetic modification17; and

Whereas, Surveys of the U.S. public consistently show overwhelming support for the labeling of genetically engineered food18,19; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association study the impact of mandated labeling of food containing genetically engineered ingredients and take further action based on the results of the study. (Directive to Take Action)
Fiscal Note: Implement accordingly at estimated staff cost of $4,800.


1 Ewen S. and Pusztai A. “Effects of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine.” Lancet. 1999; 354: 1353-4.
2 EPA Scientific Advisory Panel, “Bt Plant-Pesticides Risk and Benefits Assessments,” March 12, 2001, p. 76. Available from: http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/meetings/2000/october/octoberfinal.pdf
3 Bernstein et al. Immune responses in farm workers after exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis pesticides. Environmental Health Perspectives. 999; 107: 575-82.
4 Lello Zolla, Sara Rinalducci, Paolo Antonioli, and Pier Giorgio Righetti “Proteomics as a Complimentary Tool for Identifying Unintended Side Effects Occurring in Transgenic Maize Seeds as a Result of Genetic Modifications.” Journal of Proteome Research. August 6, 2007.
5 Finamore, A.; Roselli, M.; Britti, S.; Monastra, G.; Ambra, R.; Turrini, A.; and Mengheri, E. “Intestinal and Peripheral Immune Response to MON810 Maize Ingestion in Weaning and Old Mice.” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2008; 56: 11533-11539.
6 Velmirov, A.; Binter, C.; and Zentek, J. “Biological effects of transgenic maize NK603 x MON810 fed in long term reproduction studies in mice.” Federal Ministry for Health, Families and Youth, Government of Austria, October 2008. Available from:: bmgfj.cms.apa.at - forschungsbericht_3-2008_letztfassung.pdf
7 Séralini GE, de Vendô Séralini GE, de Vendômois JS, Cellier D, Sultan C, Buiatti M, Gallagher L, Antoniou M, Dronamraju KR. How Subchronic and Chronic Health Effects can be Neglected for GMOs, Pesticides or Chemicals. Int J Biol Sci. 2009; 5: 438-443. Available from the International Journal of Biological Sciences.
8 Health Aspects of Marker Genes in Genetically Modified Plants . Report of a WHO Workshop Geneva 1993 WHO/FNU/FOS/93.6
9 The Editors, Do Seed Companies Control GM Crop Research? Scientific American Magazine, August 2009. Available from: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-control-gm-crop-research
10 Andrew Pollack. Crop Scientists Say Biotechnology Seed Scientists are Thwarting Research, New York Times, February 19, 2009; Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/business/20crop.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
11 Kimbrell A. Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food. Earth Aware Editions. 2007: 116-117
12 American Public Health Association Policy Statement Database. Support of the Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods. Available from: http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=250
13 House of Delegates Resolution: Healthy food in health care Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association. 2008. Available from: http://www.nursingworld.org/MemberCenterCategories/ANAGovernance/HODArchives/2008HOD/ActionsAdopted/HealthyFoodinHealthCare.aspx12
14 Rick Weiss, British Report; Label Gene-Modified Food: Call by U.K. Doctors Group Adds to Trade Tensions With U.S., Brings Strong Reaction on Hill; Washington Post Tuesday, May 18, 1999; Page A02
15 General Motion #29 passed by the 1997 Irish Medical Association Annual General Meeting “That this AGM calls for full and proper labeling of foods, which either contain genetically engineered ingredients or have been produced using genetically engineered technology, irrespective of whether these foods are substantially equivalent to existing foods or not”.
16 Catholic Healthcare West Presses Suppliers to Prohibit Animal Cloning and Genetically Engineered Foods. Available from: http://www.chwhealth.org/stellent/groups/public/@xinternet_con_sys/documents/webcontent/194274.pdf
17 Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge signers: Available from: http://noharm.org/us_canada/issues/food/signers.php
18 Figuring Out What’s in Your Food: Consumers Are Left to Wonder Which Genetically-Modified Foods They Might Be Eating, Available from: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/11/eveningnews/main4086518.shtml