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Natural Law Party Hosts Summits in Los Angeles and Detroit on the Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods

The safety of genetically engineered foods--an issue of intense scientific, political, and ethical debate throughout Europe-- is finally hitting home in the United States, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Natural Law Party.

A driving force in awakening the public to the potential dangers of these foods has been a nationwide, NLP-sponsored series of Summits on the Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods.

The third in this series of Summits was held in Los Angeles on September 30 and was attended by over 350 people. A by-invitation-only event for the Hollywood entertainment industry, the Summit was co-hosted by Mothers for Natural Law and Ed Begley, Jr., Nancy and Jim Chuda, Stephen Collins, Susanne and Greg Daniels, Bill Duke, Cami and Howard Gordon, Doug and Debby Henning, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Donna Mills, Olivia Newton-John, Patricia Richardson, Roseanne, Jane Seymour, and Vincent Spano. The brilliant panelists at this Summit stunned the audience with their insightful concerns about the GE issue and inspired them to take significant action. We expect important support for our activities from this Summit.

The fourth of these national Summits was held a week later on October 8 at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in Troy, Michigan. This Summit featured guest speaker Congressman David E. Bonior (D-Mich.), Democratic Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, who is working with 45 national organizations to support mandatory labeling and safety testing of genetically engineered foods (see "Legislative Initiatives" on our home page sidebar).

Other featured speakers at this Summit included eminent scientists and physicians, public policy experts, business leaders, farmers, religious and spiritual leaders, and consumers (see list below). The panelists discussed the urgent need to safeguard our food supply from the hazards of genetic engineering.

Both Summits called on President Clinton, the U.S.Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to mandate the labeling and safety testing of all genetically engineered foods.

PANELISTS AT THE MICHIGAN SUMMIT

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:

• U.S. Congressman David E. Bonior (D-Mich.,10th District); Democratic Whip, United States House of Representatives

SCIENCE, HEALTH, & THE ENVIRONMENT

• Catherine Badgley, Ph.D. Director, Environmental Studies Program, University of Michigan
• David Fankhauser, Ph.D. Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati
• John Hagelin, Ph.D. Director, Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy; Presidential Candidate, Natural Law Party; Conference Moderator
• Gary Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Clinical Neurophysiology, North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine

FINANCE, FOOD INDUSTRY, & AGRICULTURE

• William B. Quarton Chairman and CEO, Nortex Cash Management, Inc.; Former Chairman, Nortex State Bank
• Michael Potter President and CEO, Eden Foods, Inc.
• John C. Simmons Simmons Family Farms; Member, Farm Bureau and Organic Crop Improvement Association; Fifth-generation family farmer

CONSUMERS & THE MEDIA

• Jane Akre and Steve Wilson Former Fox television reporters who were fired for refusing to falsify a story on the dangers of rBGH milk
• Laura Ticciati Executive Director, Mothers for Natural Law; National Coordinator, "Consumer Right to Know Campaign"; Conference Host
• Susan Haeger President and CEO, Citizens For Health

ETHICS & RELIGION

• Steven Druker, J.D. Executive Director, Alliance for Bio-Integrity
• Dr. Joseph C. Moorman 4th District Commander, Chaplain Core, Detroit Police Department; Education Director, God's Holy Temple Church

This event was sponsored by Mothers for Natural Law of the Natural Law Party. Participation in this summit did not necessarily imply support for the Natural Law Party. This event was made possible by contributions from Eden Foods and Whole Foods Market.