State Senator Russell Ruderman used his own company’s letterhead when he submitted anti-GMO testimony recently to the Hawaii County Council. He owns Island Naturals, the natural foods markets.
It certainly seems to be a conflict of interest for him to be supporting the Big Island’s anti-GMO movement, and he should recuse himself from all discussions and votes regarding GMOs. Submitting testimony on his company’s letterhead does not help lessen this impression of his having a serious conflict of interest. He also wrote an article for Big Island Weekly recently, titled GMO Facts and Fictions, which he says is the first in a series of installments.
We need to hold Senator Ruderman to a higher standard than he’s holding himself to, because he’s our elected official and making decisions on behalf of all of us.
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I have asked Senator Ruderman many times how his stance, which does not even seem to be supported by science, will help the Big Island and its food security status. How will it help the rubbah slippah folk in his district? I have never received an answer.
Read the full, original article: Conflict of Interest in GMO Debate? Senator Should Recuse Himself
