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 Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Rogue Valley panel will discuss food, farming future ACCESS launches annual senior shoebox project Police still searching for high-speed driver Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Police still searching for high-speed driver Emergency services Latino relations with Medford police get mixed reviews Selma man pleads guilty to murder in bar stabbing Medford police plan survey in Union Park neighborhood Politics and Elections Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Oregon voters narrowly reject GMO labeling measure Statewide voter turnout close to 70 percent Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Education Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Environment Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill Navickas ordered to pay court filing fees Well owners can help map groundwater quality Local gas prices lowest in years State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Cleo Calvin Stringer Russell James Moore Randy Carroll Lewallen Thaddaeus (Thad) Myra West Erwin Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories McDowell clings to 1-shot lead in HSBC Champions Uncharted Territory SOU men runners claim seventh straight crown SOU overhauls Tech, matches record win total Mistakes haunt OSU in loss Varsity 541 College Sports SOU men runners claim seventh straight crown SOU overhauls Tech, matches record win total Mistakes haunt OSU in loss Fill-in Falk flings Cougars past Beavers SOU netters rally to down Concordia Pro Sports McDowell clings to 1-shot lead in HSBC Champions Spartans’ Valencia wins in pro debut James' double-double carries Cavs past Nuggets Hot putter boosts McDowell's lead to three shots Aldridge powers Blazers to rout of Mavs Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Erickson reports third quarter profit Blog: OK, Here We Go! Home prices rise across Jackson County Anheuser-Busch buys Bend's 10 Barrel Real Estate News Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership People In Business People in Business Transportation Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Trails can lead to health, recreation and jobs Amy Gehrt: Voters sending mixed messages at the polls Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor, Nov. 7 Michael Gerson: Posturing aside, only Reagan can be Reagan Editorials Trails can lead to health, recreation and jobs Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Oregon voters go their own way Our View: Well testing program is a good deal Our View: Commissioners invest in the future Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 7 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 6 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 4 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 3 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Don't Fall For This Wedding: Broten-Garrett Anniversary: Bucher New Arrivals Trail tenders Food Community blog: Squash-a-thon brings food, volunteers together Community blog: Quick pickling yields fast fall flavors Kitchen Call: Autumn is mustard season Healthy for the Holidays Sorting out the style debate among wine 'experts' Home and Garden Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Health Community blog: Don't Fall For This Dr. Murray Feingold: Children are lacking face-to-face time Dr. Jeff Hersh: Ankle injuries can be tricky Health Watch: 4 reasons to get a gym buddy Community blog: Beyond Genetics for Health Hiking Biking Faith 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Christ Unity Church shows 'Gen Silent' Religion News: American cardinal criticizes Pope Francis Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Milestones and Achievements Wedding: Broten-Garrett Anniversary: Bucher New Arrivals Campbell given lifetime achievement award Sleep-out planned to raise funds for homeless Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists SOU partners with local arts SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Theater SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music SOU partners with local arts Michael Franti and Spearhead play the Historic Ashland Armory Clarinets to the forefront Book review: 'The Next Elvis,' by Barbara Barnes Sims 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert Community Events Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Dining Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill ... Latino relations with Medford police get mixed reviews ... Shady Cove poacher cooperating with feds to cut sentence ... Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill ... Latino relations with Medford police get mixed reviews ... Shady Cove poacher cooperating with feds to cut sentence ... POLITICS Blue corn seeds stir debate Local GMO supporters and detractors weigh in By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 6:01 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 6:01 pm » Social News 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.     By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 6:01 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. 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