This site is maintained by the growing number of individuals and organizations across Vermont who are concerned about the potential and realized threats that genetic engineering has to our health, the environment and our agriculture community.

WHY ARE VERMONTERS CONCERNED ABOUT GENETIC ENGINEERING?

This new technology, which manipulates plants and animals, or genetically engineers them, in ways which have never occurred outside a laboratory, touches all of us in many ways. Most profoundly, genetically altered ingredients are found in over 70% of processed foods and most of us eat them. Their safety has not been proven and leading scientists have questioned whether or not these food are actually safe for human consumption. In fact, this July, the prestigious National Academy of Sciences joined other scientific bodies in affirming potential health risks.

Beyond unknown risks to our health, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are being released into the environment and have negative long-term impacts on sustainable agriculture and the ecosystem. Vermont has experienced its first known case of GMO contamination. Contamination is here.

With these risks, why does this technology exist?

Profits are the principal reason GMOs have been released without long-term safety testing. The corporations that produce this technology are working toward the consolidation of the global food supply as a long-term profit-making scenario. The impact on family farmers worldwide is tremendous.

What success has Vermont had in fighting this technology?

Vermonters, mostly volunteers, have organized a multi-layered campaign. Letters to the editors, the formation of local groups doing local actions, state-wide rallies, press conferences, speaking tours, direct action, and legislative lobbying and events has led to the passage of a first-in-the-nation GE seed labeling bill and huge inroads on the Framer Protection Act, currently being debated this session in the statehouse.

Yet, this is not enough to secure our food supply and Vermont?s agricultural future.

The solution

Vermonters seek a time-out on the planting of GMOs until they are proven safe. After all, in the world in genetics, the mistakes we make are irreversible for the ecosystem, our health and the health of local agriculture. We have no time to lose.

What you can do

This legislative cycle, please ask your state representatives how they will support your desire for a safe food supply. You might ask, "What is your vision for Vermont agriculture?" "How will you represent the interests of the 96% of Vermonters who support GMO food labels?" "Do you see a strong role for organic food production and if so, what will you do to foster and protect this growing industry?" In addition, please look for updates on this website about current legislation and what YOU can do to support it!

Please get involved. You can join others in calling your state reps and senators, putting up a lawn sign (when available), receiving updates and action bulletins on the campaign, supporting your community farmers, joining a local group and writing letters to the editors of your local paper. You can also turn out for state-wide events that are listed on our calendar. This campaign is based on strength in numbers--the more of us who speak out on this issue, the more impact we will make to create change!

Let us assist you. This web-site has a list of organizations who are available to help you.

For a GE Free Future! The GE Free Vermont Campaign