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By Damian Mann Mail Tribune October 29. 2014 6:01PM Blue corn seeds stir debate Professor of micro biology Ramon Seidler holds corn seed dyed blue to indicate to the grower that they have been modified. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Dyed blue corn seeds have become a political football in the final days before Oregon voters decide on a GMO labeling initiative. “If it’s treated, by federal law it must be colored,” said Ramon Seidler, a microbiology professor who supports the labeling of food products that have genetically modified substances. Seidler, of Ashland, has been featured in a television ad holding up a bag of the blue kernels. Opponents of the genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling initiative, Ballot Measure 92, have taken issue with ads that attempt to depict the blue corn seed as dangerous. They say it is a common practice to color seeds that have been treated with a fungicide, insecticide or some other agent. “They are implying the seeds are colored because they are GMO,” said Dana Bieber with the No on 92 campaign. “The Yes on 92 people decided to use a scare tactic that is false and deceptive.” The No on 92 campaign has criticized measure supporters, saying they're attempting to persuade voters that only GMO seeds are colored with a dye, and leaving the impression that the coloring will somehow end up in the final product. “In reality, the blue corn seeds were planted and the final product is normal corn seeds,” the No on 92 supporters stated in a news release. “Seeds can come in many colors. This does not mean the seed is GMO. This means the seed has received some sort of pre-planting seed treatment.” For instance, wheat seeds dyed pink have been treated with a fungicide, the No on 92 campaign says. “The most important thing is they are trying to make it seem that the GMO seeds are the only ones colored,” Bieber said. Seidler said the dye by itself is harmless, but it alerts the farmer that the seed has been altered in some way, either genetically or through some other chemical agent. “There’s more to it than just genetic modification,” he said. “We view these seeds as a vehicle for chemical delivery.” In the case of these particular blue seeds, Seidler said they are so-called Roundup-ready corn that has been genetically altered as well as treated with other chemicals to be resistant to insects or fungus. On Wednesday, Seidler held up a jar containing blue corn seeds and purple alfalfa seeds at a local farm off Old Stage Road. He said the seeds came out of bags that indicated they were Roundup-resistant, and have, therefore, been genetically modified. In addition, the seeds have been treated with other substances such as pesticides or fungicides, he said. Seidler said organic seeds also are sometimes dyed. Jared Watters, a local farmer, said it is important to exercise caution when handling seeds that have been dyed because they could have been treated with substances that shouldn’t be ingested by humans or animals. “When you use treated seeds, we use gloves and wear a respirator mask,” he said. Reach Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm.     http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141029/NEWS/141029609 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->