HILO — A resolution to establish a genetically modified organism advisory commission for the Big Island is slated for discussion during Thursday’s Hawaii County Council committee meetings.

North Kona Councilman Angel Pilago, acting on a suggestion made by Mayor Harry Kim, penned the resolution requesting the administration form a commission that would further “research and discussion of genetic engineering to determine the appropriateness of the use of transgenic crops.”

Kim made the suggestion during a regular meeting last month. Later in the same meeting, the council approved a bill on second reading to ban the genetic modification of taro and coffee on the Big Island to protect local crops from possible contamination.

Full Story: http://westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2008/11/06/local/local04.txt