GMO fervor spills into Hawaii’s elections, fuels campaign donations

The fervor surrounding genetically engineered crops in Hawaii is expected to spill into this year’s elections, as a number of candidates have already begun framing their campaigns around an anti-GMO sentiment.

It’s also anticipated to lead to increased spending on particular races that will pit opponents of genetically modified organisms against those who believe that large agribusiness and chemical companies, such as Monsanto, Syngenta and BASF, are a boon to the local economy and global food production research. Those companies, of course, grow genetically altered seed crops on many of Hawaii’s islands, and have a $250-million-a-year stake in making sure their business interests are protected.

But while the biotech firms, and in particular Monsanto, have long been financial players in local politics, the anti-GMO movement is ramping up its own firepower.

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Read the full, original article: Will the GMO Debate Fuel Campaign Donations as Local Elections Heat Up?