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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jeffrey Gillespie: Dems contemplate Biden time ... Our View: Taking the plunge ... The Democracy Project at SOU: An Opportunity for Learning and Leadership ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Dems contemplate Biden time ... Our View: Taking the plunge ... The Democracy Project at SOU: An Opportunity for Learning and Leadership ... LOCAL TAKE: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS Do you think foods containing GMOs should say so on the label? Comment By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 at 3:40 PM Updated Sep 2, 2014 at 4:33 PM By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 at 3:40 PM Updated Sep 2, 2014 at 4:33 PM » RELATED CONTENT • More than health at stake in GMO debate, speakers say • What's the right amount to tip? • Will plastic bag ban affect you? • Trying to get a handle on panhandling » Social News What's the issue? While plants have been modified for thousands of years through breeding and natural selection, "genetically modified organisms" are defined as organisms modified using modern biotechnology. Rather than breeding that combines many characteristics from plants, scientists can select desired traits from some plants and give them to others. Traits generally are chosen to give the crops a greater resistance to insects and herbicides, improve their growth and provide resistance to viruses. Some of the most common plants that are genetically modified are alfalfa, beets, corn, cotton, soybeans and zucchini. Food and food ingredients derived from GMOs are required by the Food and Drug Administration to meet the same safety requirements as traditionally modified plants. However, GMO crops have received backlash from organic farmers, some scientists and other detractors. Opponents of GMOs say that they may increase risk of allergies or cancer, often referring to genetically engineered food as "Frankenstein" foods.  What has happened? In May, 66 percent of Jackson County voters passed Measure 15-119, banning GMO crops from being grown locally. While some farmers had embraced the idea of GMO crops, many organic farmers opposed them because pollen from GMO crops can contaminate their organic crops. All GMO crops must be harvested, removed or destroyed within 12 months of the ordinance's enactment. The ban does allow for GMO crops to be grown in indoor laboratories for research purposes. County officials estimated that the cost to enforce the ban could cost more than $219,000.  What's happening next? Oregon voters will decide in November if they want to approve Measure 92 which requires raw and packaged foods produced, either entirely or partially, with genetic engineering, to say so on the label. The labeling measure would apply to retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Retailers of raw foods produced with genetic engineering must have labels on packages, display bins or shelves. Suppliers are required to label shipping containers and manufacturers must label packaging. The measure would not apply to animal feed or food served in restaurants. By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 at 3:40 PM Updated Sep 2, 2014 at 4:33 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501