I believe that folks should have the information they need to make useful health decisions.

I am proud of the achievements made in the field of food inspection in recent decades both here and abroad, and the positive impacts they have had on consumers worldwide.

I believe everyone deserves access to good nutrition regardless of income bracket, and I value a transparent system to ensure this need is met.

That is why I am voting “no” on I-522.

I’ve read the seven-page initiative and understand the implications if this were to be made law in our state.

The scientific community widely agrees that genetically engineered crops pose no greater threat to public health than their non-genetically engineered counterparts.

(It may be worth noting that BPA, bisphenol A, has been shown to increase the risk of obesity, certain neurological disorders, and some cancers, yet is widely used in canned goods at many retailers supporting the “Yes on I-522” campaign.)

The added costs associated with labeling genetically engineered crops hurts small farmers, and the costs will undoubtedly get passed on at the checkout counter.

I-522 won’t make food safer for Washingtonians, it will just make grocery shopping harder for folks who already can’t afford to buy organic.

Angela Bastien, Kirkland