For more than a decade, Americans have been eating genetically engineered corn, soy, canola, beet sugar and several other food crops. Research into the safety of these foods is woefully inadequate, usually 90 days in length, which cannot evaluate long-term effects on the human body or on the environment.

On March 3, 2013, Whole Foods Market said that by 2018 they would require labeling of genetically engineered foods sold in their store for products that were not either organic or verified by the Non-GMO Project.

The terms genetically engineered (GE) foods and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used interchangeably.

The Institute for Responsible Technology reports that “consumer rejection of GMOs is being reflected in the demand for mandatory labeling,” which is already enjoyed by 3 billion people in 62 other countries.

Groups in 37 states have efforts under way to pass state labeling bills, and Washington state’s ballot initiative will be voted on by citizens in November.

In particular, Washington state’s salmon, apple and wheat industries are all at risk of contamination by future GMO introductions, and therefore industry leaders have become champions of labeling and segregation to protect their markets.

Jeffrey Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology, reports that after two decades, physicians and scientists have found that the same serious health problems found in lab animals, livestock and pets that have been fed GM foods are now on the rise in the US population.

When people and animals stop eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), their health improves. More and more physicians are prescribing non-GMO diets.

Europe has already rejected GMOs. Most Americans are woefully ignorant of the dangers of GMOs. California voters were duped by expensive corporate campaigns to prevent labeling.

Americans need to wake up before it is too late! Washingtonians have a chance in the November election to lead the nation in requiring labeling, but be prepared for Monsanto to spend millions to keep us in the dark about what we’re eating.

When the real data about the health and environmental effects of GMOs can finally see the light of day, it will be too late. How do you un-ring a bell? How can you avoid GMOs UNLESS they are labeled?

Suzanne Grogan, Kirkland