PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 8:41 PM by Tevita

Hawaii Lawmakers Tackle Taro Issue

March 20, 2008, 11:48AM

From : Houston News

HONOLULU — State lawmakers considering a 10-year moratorium on genetically engineering taro heard arguments from both sides of the emotionally charged issue Wednesday.

Supporters of the moratorium say the taro plant, which is used to make the starchy food poi, is a vital part of Hawaiian culture and should be kept pure, not genetically altered.

"(Taro) is in our beliefs and our culture," Walter Ritte, 63, told the House Agriculture Committee. "It is in us."

Supporters held signs that read, "No GMO taro" and "Save the taro," and carried taro plants as they spoke.

Hanohano Naehu, 31, a taro farmer on Molokai, said biotechnology companies were looking to profit from genetically modified taro.

"This is about greed," he said.

But opponents of the moratorium say Hawaii's taro is in danger from insects and diseases, and genetic modification could produce taro capable of withstanding these threats.

Previous research has involved introducing disease-resistant genes from other plants into the native taro.

"It would be foolish to throw away any potential tool that could help to sustain taro production on Hawaii," said Susan Miyasaka, an agronomist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The bill lawmakers are considering would ban taro genetics research at the university and other institutions.

Miyasaka said disease has contributed to a decline in the number of Hawaiian varieties of taro as well as its yield per acre.

Alan Takemoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, said lawmakers should reject the moratorium but find a way to protect Hawaiian varieties with cultural significance.

"We are unable to support (the moratorium) because it puts a restraint on research and technology that could benefit our farmers," he said.

Other opponents say the moratorium would create the perception that Hawaii was against scientific research and technology, which could keep businesses away and hurt the state's economy.

The House Agriculture Committee heard hours of testimony Wednesday. It is expected to vote on the measure at a later date.



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DIVA-GIS	Monday, March 24, 2008 Posted 8:41 PM by Tevita Hawaii Lawmakers Tackle Taro Issue March 20, 2008, 11:48AM From : Houston News HONOLULU — State lawmakers considering a 10-year moratorium on genetically engineering taro heard arguments from both sides of the emotionally charged issue Wednesday. Supporters of the moratorium say the taro plant, which is used to make the starchy food poi, is a vital part of Hawaiian culture and should be kept pure, not genetically altered. "(Taro) is in our beliefs and our culture," Walter Ritte, 63, told the House Agriculture Committee. "It is in us." Supporters held signs that read, "No GMO taro" and "Save the taro," and carried taro plants as they spoke. Hanohano Naehu, 31, a taro farmer on Molokai, said biotechnology companies were looking to profit from genetically modified taro. "This is about greed," he said. But opponents of the moratorium say Hawaii's taro is in danger from insects and diseases, and genetic modification could produce taro capable of withstanding these threats. Previous research has involved introducing disease-resistant genes from other plants into the native taro. "It would be foolish to throw away any potential tool that could help to sustain taro production on Hawaii," said Susan Miyasaka, an agronomist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The bill lawmakers are considering would ban taro genetics research at the university and other institutions. Miyasaka said disease has contributed to a decline in the number of Hawaiian varieties of taro as well as its yield per acre. Alan Takemoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, said lawmakers should reject the moratorium but find a way to protect Hawaiian varieties with cultural significance. "We are unable to support (the moratorium) because it puts a restraint on research and technology that could benefit our farmers," he said. Other opponents say the moratorium would create the perception that Hawaii was against scientific research and technology, which could keep businesses away and hurt the state's economy. The House Agriculture Committee heard hours of testimony Wednesday. It is expected to vote on the measure at a later date. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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