The GMO debate takes us to Oregon where one county is set to vote on banning GMOs. But it could also set the future of science and research at the stateโs land grant school.ย Benton County, Oregon residents will vote May 19ย on whether to ban the growth and cultivation of GMO within their county. This measure is not limited to food but also aimed at GMO-based plants and the outcome could have a profound impact on scientific research.
Some neighboring counties in Oregon have voted in the past on whether ban the use of GMOs. However, the Benton County Measure 2-89 applies to Corporations and Government. That includes research and studies at Oregon State University.
OSU Contacts say 8 out of 12 colleges could be impacted. These are fields ranging from chemistry to agriculture to pharmacy. The University estimates Oregon State could lose over $18 Million in funding.
โThe University estimates about 120 professors on campus directly in use with GMO research projects. Each of those professors has at least one research project and many have several. Weโre talking about several hundred research projects that could be potentially impacted by this measure,โ said Arp.
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โI would lose months and months or years of work,โ said Oregon State University professor, Joseph Beckman.
Joe Beckman has been researching Lou Gehrigโs disease since 1993. He uses GMOs in his studies. If the measure passes, he could have to destroy his findings.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post:ย GMOs And The Ballot Box
