Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Hoppe and Peterson at it again in Jackson County judge's race Ashland's Iron Mike statue has its gun stolen 100 hours and counting Medford schools superintendent addresses concerns over Ebola Oregon gubernatorial candidates debate in Medford Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Hoppe and Peterson at it again in Jackson County judge's race Ashland's Iron Mike statue has its gun stolen Motorcycle crash southwest of Grants Pass kills one Emergency services Talent man and Texas fugitive arrested on drug charges in Lane County Politics and Elections Hoppe and Peterson at it again in Jackson County judge's race Oregon gubernatorial candidates debate in Medford RVTD says its future is riding on the election Stricker steps down from Talent council Commissioner's race: Talbert wants to diversify economy Education 100 hours and counting SOU students protest university's free-speech zone Boys & Girls Clubs bursting at the seams Phoenix High School restores homecoming parade EP school district launches new app Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries James Waldo Littlefield Francis Bagley Cecile (DeLozier) Death Notices Marc Lee Sprang Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories No. 20 Utah sinks Beavers in two OTs Challengers rally to claim Southern Cascade crown Senior Erin Riley has been key to South Medford's success Pirates tops in Skyline with win Ishikawa's homer sends Giants to World Series Varsity 541 College Sports No. 20 Utah sinks Beavers in two OTs Third-ranked Concordia fights off SOU, 3-1 Part II: This time, No. 4 SOU visits No. 3 Carroll Gutches invited to wrestle in All-Star Classic Young Ducks impress early Pro Sports Ishikawa's homer sends Giants to World Series Patriots survive scare from Jets, 27-25 In NBA, 3's are most definitely wild Cink, Laird share lead in Las Vegas Royals’ Guthrie apologizes for post-game T-shirt Community Sports LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories People in Business Rogue Credit Union awaits southeast Medford opportunity Blog: Early Holiday Shopping Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business People in Business Transportation Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Oct. 17 Our view: With respect, our support goes to Bates Isolation won't work for U.S. or the world Matthew T. Mangino: Asset forfeitures bolster local crime fighting efforts Granlund cartoon: Crist vs Scott fan debate Editorials Our view: With respect, our support goes to Bates Our View: Bearnson, Stine, Lane for Medford council Our View: No clear favorite for county commissioner, position 1 Our View: It's time to legalize marijuana Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Oct. 17 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 16 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 15 Election Letters, Oct. 14 Election Letters, Oct. 13 Guest Opinions Infill is the answer to growth issues Guest Opinion: Who’s really to blame for 2014 wildfires? Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: My New Best Selling Book Scenic with a capital 'S' New trails could garner scenic designation Community blog: Southern Oregon Micro and Nano Brewing Scene Fall 2014 Dr. Jeff Hersh: The enterovirus is not new Food Community blog: Southern Oregon Micro and Nano Brewing Scene Fall 2014 Community blog: Eggs make for economical, unconventional curry Mobile meals perfect for autumn forays Community blog: Green beans go global from gleaning garden Kitchen Call: Pumpkin is nothing without the spice Home and Garden Dear Monty: Is your real estate agent a secret agent? The best way to store your books A list to help you get ready for winter How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Health Community blog: My New Best Selling Book Dr. Jeff Hersh: The enterovirus is not new Dr. Murray Feingold: The first successful uterus transplant Health Watch: Skip the energy drink and reenergize naturally Officials warn of frauds touting fake Ebola cures Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Milestones and Achievements Southern Oregon Pride parade celebrates gay marriage ruling New Arrivals Still stifling laughter 40 years after 'Young Frankenstein' New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out A cappella fellas sing for schools Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Tutunov Piano Series begins at SOU Third Fridays in downtown Medford Theater Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Randall Theatre presents 'Blithe Spirit' A tribute to a great lyricist 'Mrs. Mannerly' is a matter of manners Music A cappella fellas sing for schools The Farr Side: Bryan Adams releases album of influential hits Tutunov Piano Series begins at SOU Benefit for Nita Day at The Wild Goose Cafe in Ashland Call for musicians Community Events Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Greater Medford Multicultural Fair Dining Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons 'Get Giddy' at Porters Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Ashland's Iron Mike statue has its gun stolen ... Oregon gubernatorial candidates debate in Medford ... Elk season starts damp but not snowy ... Ashland's Iron Mike statue has its gun stolen ... Oregon gubernatorial candidates debate in Medford ... Elk season starts damp but not snowy ... Safety, contamination are valid concerns The Mail Tribune urges readers, in their April 27 editorial, to "Believe science, not ideology, in GMO debate." Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, believes Jackson County residents should do just that, and that science, and economic concerns, will lead them to the conclusion that they should support Measure 15-119. By Michael Hansen MailTribune.com By Michael Hansen Posted May. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Michael Hansen Posted May. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News The Mail Tribune urges readers, in their April 27 editorial, to "Believe science, not ideology, in GMO debate." Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, believes Jackson County residents should do just that, and that science, and economic concerns, will lead them to the conclusion that they should support Measure 15-119. The editorial states that "The science has been consistent and as clear as possible: GMOs have not been found to cause health problems." In fact, there is considerable debate about the safety of GM crops. A review of the scientific literature of animal-feeding studies shows that some, generally independent studies, find some evidence of adverse effect, while other studies, often funded by industry or performed by industry-affiliated scientists, find no safety problem. In fact, there is global agreement that genetic engineering differs from conventional breeding, and that safety assessments should be completed for all GE crops prior to marketing. However, the U.S., unlike virtually all other developed countries, does not require GMOs to be tested for safety. The April 27 editorial also asserts that GM crops have increased crop yields, but this is in fact not the case. In February, the USDA Economic Research Service released a report that found that GMO seeds have not been shown to definitively increase yield potentials, and "in fact, the yields of herbicide-tolerant or insect-resistant seeds may be occasionally lower than the yields of conventional varieties." Meanwhile, in the first 16 years of GE crops being planted in the U.S. (1996-2011), there has been a net increase of 423 million pounds more pesticides, primarily herbicides, sprayed on GE crops compared to their non-GE counterparts. The major reason to pass Measure 15-119 is that GM crops can contaminate non-GM or organic crops, thereby reducing the organic or non-GMO farmers' ability to grow and sell non-GMO seeds. The editorial notes that while this may be true, it is "only because they are dealing in a farm economy based on the unproven premise that GMOs are a health threat." This statement cavalierly dismisses the views of the millions of consumers who prefer organic, natural and non-GMO foods, both for health reasons and due to environmental and other concerns. This is in fact the fastest-growing segment of the food marketplace. A recent New York Times poll found that more than 90 percent of respondents would like genetically engineered food labeled so they can choose whether to buy it. Foreign markets are even less enthusiastic about GMO foods, and have rejected shipments of rice and corn because they contained unapproved GMOs. These cases show that growers of non-GMO corn and alfalfa could be economically hurt by growing of GE crops. Jackson County is wise to be concerned about the contamination issue. Measure 15-119 would protect the organic and non-GE crop growers. Bottom line, Measure 15-119 should be supported because there are safety and economic concerns about genetically engineered crops. Ideology is not the issue. Michael Hansen, Ph.D., is a senior scientist with Consumers Union. By Michael Hansen MailTribune.com By Michael Hansen Posted May. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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 2014 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501