The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

An Act Relative to Genetically Modified Organisms

Be it enacted by the Senate 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 1998 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 or RNA techniques, cell fusion, microencapsulation, macroencapsulation, 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 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 consists wholly or partly of genetically engineered organisms.

SECTION II

Chapter 94 of the general Laws as appearing in the 1998 Official Edition, is hereby amended 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 GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MATERIAL, OR WAS PRODUCED WITH GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MATERIAL

• This bill was sponsored by:

Representative Karyn E. Polito
Republican, 11th Worcester District
Room 437, State House
Boston, MA 02133
617-722-2800
No email address published

Representative Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury, a Republican, said she introduced the bill to require labeling of genetically modified foods in response to concerns voiced by some of her constituents. - Naomi Aoki / Boston Globe 14feb01 "Massachusetts Lawmakers Propose Several Genetically Altered Crop Measures"

• Other bills for consideration at the same time are on liability and a 5-year moratorium:

[State Senator Brian] Joyce is sponsoring the bill to hold companies to a higher standard of accountabity," meaning companies could be held legally responsible for damages without regard to fault or negligence, Joyce said, the state would give companies an incentive to ensure the safety of their products. - Naomi Aoki / Boston Globe 14feb01 

State Senator Brian A Joyce
Room 413-A
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: (617) 722-1643
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
E-Mail Address: BJoyce@senate.state.ma.us
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/member/baj0.htm
Senator's Home Page:www.BrianAJoyce.com

Representative Rachel Kaprielian, a Democrat from Watertown, said she introduced the idea of the five-year moratorium to slow the spread of the technology and give researchers more time to evaluate its effect on people and the environment. While she is not wedded to the five-year time frame or other specifics in the bill, she believes the matter merits discussion. - Naomi Aoki / Boston Globe 14feb01 

State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian
Room 33
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: (617) 722-2060
Party Affiliation - Democrat
E-Mail Address: Rep.RachelKaprielian@hou.state.ma.us
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/member/r_k1.htm

Massachusetts website: http://www.state.ma.us/legis/citytown.htm