S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  3251

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 22, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. TITUS -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on Health

AN ACT to create a special task  force  to  investigate  the  impact  of
  consuming genetically modified organisms

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
the "genetically modified organism act of 2015."
  S  2.  Legislative intent. The legislature takes notice of the growing
number of consumers, worldwide, who are concerned with the use of genet-
ically modified organisms in our food supply, especially food and infant
formula manufactured for children.
  Genetically modified foods are a by  product  of  the  compounding  of
plant  and  animal DNA to create a product which fosters a greater gross
product for manufacturing. Medical experts have cited genetically  modi-
fied foods as a key inducer of chronic food allergies and antibody immu-
nity.    Genetically  modified  organisms have also been shown to foster
developmental delays in children who consume  products  containing  such
organisms.
  Despite  these  concerns, there is a shortage of information regarding
the true impact, on our health, of consuming foods which contain  genet-
ically  modified  organisms. The quality and safety of the foods that we
consume, especially food and infant formula manufactured  for  children,
depend  on  clear  and conspicuous labeling so the impact of genetically
modified organisms on our health can be effectively monitored.
  The impact of using genetically modified organisms in our food  supply
warrants  further  research and analysis. The creation of a special task
force to investigate the full effects, both harmful and  beneficial,  of
the  use of genetically modified organisms will help protect some of our
most vulnerable citizens of this state, the children.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06657-01-5

              

A. 3251                             2

  S 3. Definitions. As used in this act, the following terms shall  have
the following meanings:
  (a)  "Food"  means  (i)  articles used for food or drink for humans or
other animals, (ii) chewing gum, (iii) infant formula, and (iv) articles
used for components of any such article.
  (b) "Genetically modified organism  (GMO)"  means  an  organism  whose
genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified
gene  or  a  gene  from another organism using the techniques of genetic
engineering.
  (c) "Genetic engineering" means a process by  which  a  food  or  food
ingredient  that  is produced from an organism or organisms in which the
genetic material has been changed through the  application  of:  (i)  in
vitro  nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant DNA techniques and
the direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles;  or  (ii)
fusion  of  cells,  including  protoplast fusion, or hybridization tech-
niques that overcome natural physiological, reproductive  or  recombina-
tion  barriers,  where the donor cells or protoplasts do not fall within
the same taxonomic group, in a way that does not occur by natural multi-
plication or natural recombination.
  (d) "Infant formula" means a milk-based or soy-based  powder,  concen-
trated  liquid or ready-to-feed substitute for human breast milk that is
intended for infant consumption and is commercially available.
  S 4. Genetically modified organism task force.  (a)  There  is  hereby
created the genetically modified organism task force administered by the
department of health. The task force shall be chaired by the commission-
er  of health. The chair may appoint other state administrative agencies
which may prove beneficial to the work of  the  task  force  as  ad  hoc
members.  The  chair may also appoint individuals and representatives of
organizations other than state administrative agencies  to  an  advisory
committee  to advise on any aspect of its functions, powers, and duties.
The governor, the temporary president of the senate and the  speaker  of
the  assembly  shall  each appoint a liaison to the genetically modified
organism task force.
  (b) The task force shall:
  (i) monitor the effects of genetic engineering and the use  of  genet-
ically  modified organisms in our food supply, including infant formula;
and
  (ii) identify and recommend means to improve the quality of the  foods
we consume.
  S 5. Report. The genetically modified organism task force shall, with-
in eighteen months of its implementation, report to the governor and the
legislature its findings and recommendations. Such report shall be bound
and made available to the public.
  S 6. This act shall take effect immediately.