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By Ian Hand Ashland Daily Tidings September 02. 2014 3:40PM Do you think foods containing GMOs should say so on the label? Tanya Roberts and Heidi Mullen of Ashland show their opposition to genetically modified foods during a rally in Medford's Vogel Plaza in May 2013. Karen Taylor as Sugar Sweet Pea, left, and Melanie Mindlin, representing animals, are in the background. Daily Tidings/ file photo 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. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20140902/NEWS/140909983 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->