Historic posts are reprinted verbatim from their original source.

California Right to Know, December 1999

We wrote this initiative because we believe people have a fundamental right to know whether the foods they purchase and consume have been genetically engineered. Written in deliberately simple language, the initiative will require the labeling of genetically engineered foods and meats at the retail level. It defines those foods requiring labeling as: “Crops and livestock containing genetic material transferred from one species to another or other DNA modifications not commonly possible under natural conditions, such as cell fusion, gene deletion or doubling, and induced sequence or encapsulation variations.” It states that historical breeding techniques such as hybridization through mass selection are not considered to be genetic engineering by the proposed law.

This is a unique, all-volunteer effort no donations taken, no PACs. The initiative petition is spreading out by means of each individual making copies and passing these along to others. This is one of very few opportunities to participate in direct democracy concerning an issue of immense importance.

If this initiative qualifies for the ballot in California, it will bring widespread publicity, and help to push this issue to the forefront of public debate throughout the U.S., which is our intention in putting it forward. To qualify for the November 2000 election, we need over 413,000 valid signatures from registered California voters by February 20th. We have an urgent need for coordinators in each California county, and for signature gatherers in all counties; don’t wait — call the number below and find out how you can help. Our website has a copy of the initiative for downloading, plus important instructions for signature gatherers. The deadline is February 20th for us to receive all initiative petitions.

Please contact us immediately at:
(707) 939-8316
website: www.calrighttoknow.org
E-mail: info@calrighttoknow.org