Thanks to the lobbying efforts of biotech companies, politicians and corporations, the majority of Americans aren’t aware that we are consuming genetically-engineered food.

These compromised foods have shown to cause cancer and increase health risks, as well as cause a strain on small farmers and the poisoning of our environment.

Initiative 522 will require any foods that contain GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) to be labeled so we as consumers will know what we are eating.

Currently, we have no idea what is in our food unless we buy organic or shop at PCC where they have a voluntary, non-GMO labeling program that the food manufacturers agree to, (look for the tags, under the product).

It’s good business to label, unless you have something to hide. I promise you, you may be shocked at how many of these GMO foods you are now eating.

If Monsanto and the other chemical corporations are worried about labeling laws being passed in Washington state that they are spending millions of dollars here defeating I-522, you should wonder what they are trying to hide.

All the money they are spending to defeat I-522 in Washington and the bill that barely failed in California last year could cover the costs associated with labeling for quite some time.

They are trying to scare people that their food will cost more. It won’t.

Farmers can label their bags of soybeans or corn with a GMO label. It’s not what they are afraid of.

They are really afraid of people changing their eating habits to avoid this toxic product. The farmers chose to buy the GMO seeds and they can choose to go back to the seeds they have used in the past. There are many farmers across the globe who have stopped growing GMO crops because of all the problems, toxic chemicals and costs associated with them.

It’s not the farmer that will bear the brunt of labeling, it’s the manufacturer who is making huge profits selling you “food” that is contaminated with GMO’s.

Labeling is a part of their job and it’s really easy, they do it all the time.

We think we are eating the same foods we did as kids, we are not. The box of cereal may look the same and the food may look and taste the same but if it is made with GMO ingredients, it is not the same and we are playing “Russian Roulette” with our health.

Do you realize that unless you are buying organic corn chips that you are eating GMO corn chips?

We pay for our health, either at the grocery with healthy food choices or at the doctor’s office with procedures and pills trying to get our health back. It’s our choice if we know what we are eating. Currently, we don’t have that choice in Washington state.

GMO labeling will put an end to corporations and politicians profiting from slowly killing consumers and the environment.

Google “Dr. Vandana Shiva” to learn more about GMO, Seed Wars and Knowledge Wars. Vote yes on I-522.

Barbara Barry, Kirkland