Oregon Ballot Measure 27 (2002)
Encyclopedia
Ballot Measure 27 of 2002 would have required the mandatory labelling
of all genetically modified food
sold in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. The measure was defeated in the November 5, 2002 general election
with 371,851 votes in favor, 886,806 votes against. The measure was placed on the ballot as a result of initiative petition
.
Proponents of the measure argued that "Oregonians should have the right to know what they are eating." They repeated the belief of some activists that genetic engineering
of food poses a potential threat to health and safety. (See frankenfood.) Proponents also ridiculed the cost estimates of the law brought by the measure's opponents. Proponents hoped that an Oregon labelling law would spark debate about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and eventually a nationwide labelling system.
Opponents argued that Oregon's agricultural industry would be burdened by excessive costs if the measure were to pass, given the lack of such a requirement throughout the rest of the United States
. In addition, opponents claimed there was little evidence that GMO foods posed a danger to human health. Monsanto Company, an agricultural company whose products account for 70% of the GMO market, donated $1.5 million to the effort against the measure. Overall, opponents spent $5.5 million, tying an Oregon spending record.
Mandatory labelling
Mandatory labelling or labeling is the requirement of consumer products to state their ingredients or components....
of all genetically modified food
Genetically modified food
Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms . Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques...
sold in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. The measure was defeated in the November 5, 2002 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
with 371,851 votes in favor, 886,806 votes against. The measure was placed on the ballot as a result of initiative petition
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
.
Proponents of the measure argued that "Oregonians should have the right to know what they are eating." They repeated the belief of some activists that genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
of food poses a potential threat to health and safety. (See frankenfood.) Proponents also ridiculed the cost estimates of the law brought by the measure's opponents. Proponents hoped that an Oregon labelling law would spark debate about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and eventually a nationwide labelling system.
Opponents argued that Oregon's agricultural industry would be burdened by excessive costs if the measure were to pass, given the lack of such a requirement throughout the rest of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In addition, opponents claimed there was little evidence that GMO foods posed a danger to human health. Monsanto Company, an agricultural company whose products account for 70% of the GMO market, donated $1.5 million to the effort against the measure. Overall, opponents spent $5.5 million, tying an Oregon spending record.
External links
- Oregon Voter's Guide page for Measure 27--includes ballot titleBallot titleA ballot title is the official, short, summary of a ballot measure that appears on the ballot. The goal of a good ballot title is to be a neutral summary that accurately conveys to voters the gist of what the proposed new law says or would do...
, text of the measure, and arguments for and against - Letter from Consumers' Union supporting Measure 27