By Mr. Marzilli of Arlington, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2196) of J. James Marzilli, Jr. relative to the use of genetically engineered organisms in the production of food products.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

 

J. James Marzilli, Jr.

 

 

 

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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 An Act relative to genetically modified organisms.

 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 94 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following:-
      For the purpose of this act, the following phrases shall have the following meanings:-
        (a) "Genetically engineered" shall mean
          (1) An organism that has been altered at the molecular or cellular level by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes (including recombinant DNA and RNA techniques, cell fusion, microencapsulation, gene deleti and doubling, introduction of foreign genes, and a process that changes the positions of genes), other than means consisting exclusively of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro fertilization, or tissue culture; or
           (2) The offspring of an altered organism, if the offspring possesses any of the changed molecular or cellular characteristics of the parent.
        (b) "Genetically engineered food" means items for human consumption that contain or were produced using seeds or hormones that consist wholly or partly of genetically engineered organisms.
SECTION 2. Chapter 94 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sections after section 328:-
      Section 329: Any person or corporation who utilizes genetically engineered organisms in the production of food products for use and sale, including, but not limited to, seeds, hormones, produce, fresh or processed food products and foodstuffs and other products for consumption, shall conspicuously label said products with a label indicating the presence of genetically modified organisms as either a component for production or ingredient in said product. The following shall be acceptable notification:
      THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MATERIAL, OR WAS PRODUCED WITH A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MATERIAL

SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect upon passage.