Step 1: Read the message
As a consumer, I am writing to urge your company to publicly oppose the spring 2008 planting of genetically modified sugar beets in the United States. You have the power to tell agribusiness firms that you won't buy sugar made from genetically modified sugar beets. You should know that I am among the more than 50 percent of Americans who avoid genetically modified foods if given a choice. That means that if you publicly announce that your company will NOT use sugar from genetically modified sugar beets, I will be more likely to spend my hard-earned money with you. If you decide to use genetically modified sugar, I will avoid your products. And I would take that one step farther: If you fail to label your food or beverage as not containing genetically modified sugar, I will have to operate on the assumption that it DOES contain the product ... and I will avoid it just to be safe. I am a big believer in consumers getting good information and having real choices. I do not want to be "forced" to eat genetically modified sugar either because it is sneaked into my food on an undisclosed basis or because it is added into virtually all food and beverages. Sugar should be pure, not corrupted through genetic tinkering. I am very concerned about the sugar that would be created from genetically modified sugar beets. These would be sugar beets genetically engineered to survive direct application of the weed killer Roundup (or glyphosate). At the request of Roundup pesticide maker Monsanto, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently increased the allowable amount of glyphosate residues on sugar beet roots by a whopping 5000 percent. Obviously, that is not acceptable for people like me who want to enjoy sugar free from genetic modification. I urge you, before genetically modified sugar hits store shelves, to take a stand against genetically modified sugar beets. Please speak up for loyal consumers like me. Don't let them mess with sugar!