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Thursday, October 24,2002
-OregcnDaily Errerald
Commentary
Editor in Chief:
Michael J. Kleckner
Managing Editor
Jessica Richelderfer
Editorial Editors:
Salena De La Cruz, Pat Payne
Editorial
Mandating
gene-spliced
food labels a
fair measure
We heartily endorse Measure 27. It is only fair
that the people know what they are eating —
especially if it contains genetically engineered
products.
The problems, or lack thereof, with genetically
engineered foods are not yet known; hence the
problem. While scientists for the British Depart
ment of Health have determined in short-term
studies that some of the more extreme scenarios
carry little risk, there are other worries about al
lergic reactions and whether certain GE foods
may affect the body differently than non-GE food
would.
For instance, what if genes from a nut were
placed in com? Gould it affect those who could
have potentially deadly reactions to nuts? There
haven’t been enough studies, and all the possible
combinations of plant genes that could be used in
GE food make a comprehensive study daunting, if
not impossible.
Further, there are environmental implica
tions that farmers may not foresee when they
plant GE crops. Some research suggests that the
natural pesticides created by some GE plants
are indiscriminately harmful and will kill
species outside of the few that prey on that crop.
There is also concern that GE plants and weeds
will intermingle, and that genes that make the
crop more hardy will be transferred to the weeds,
causing some agricultural havoc.
Given these potential risks, it seems sensible
to label the unknown quantity for consumers.
People tend to get rightfully indignant when
they’re used as an unwitting test subject.
The opponents of Measure 27 point to an im
mense cost in keeping records to show that all
the foods used their product are GE-free if they
want to avoid the label. They would like us to
forget that they’ve had to do a very similar
process for almost 100 years. Labeling of foods
is neither a risky scheme nor anything new.
People may not realize that ingredient label
ing has been required for a number of different
reasons since the early 20th century. First, the
Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, enacted in the
wake of Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” ordered
that all ingredients had to be listed on the food’s
packaging, and that there had to be proof that
the foods were not adulterated. This proof usu
ally consists of diligent record-keeping by the
manufacturers or producers.
Further, products have had labels for other
purposes for quite a long time. For decades,
most companies — even ones that don’t pro
duce foods — have actively sought Jewish
kosher certification for their foods and kitchen
products, and since the 1990s, all foods have
been required to have standardized nutritional
info on their packaging. Now, the FDA is allow
ing those manufacturers who can prove that
their food is totally organic to put a label attest
ing to the fact.
Measure 27 is a reasonable plan. If it passes, we
have only one suggestion: The measure should of
fer a scale telling what percentage of the food is
genetically engineered.
More than
a NUMBER
Opportunities come and go,
and decisions need to be made.
But rarely are we sure of such
decisions and know they are
the right ones.
I spent my freshman year of
college last year at a small pri
vate school next door: North
west Christian College. NCC is
small — and I mean small: The
undergraduate population is
only 360 students. Everyone
seemingly knew everyone else,
and that made things all right.
With its affiliation with the
Christian Church, this school
commended itself on the fact
that students were able to be
come more than just a number
— a plus for those who’d feel
“lost in the crowd” at larger
colleges and universities. And
it was true: At NCC, one could
build strong relationships with
many students, and even staff
members knew their students
on a first name basis.
In my time at NCC, I never
once felt like “just a number”;
the school did well on that.
And, in fact, I think it was the
best experience I have ever
had. I met so many people
and built so many strong
friendships, many to last a
lifetime. But most important
ly, I found myself.
I grew so much in that year
and discovered a lot about my
self that I may not have other
wise known. This made my de
cision to transfer to the
University of Oregon one of the
toughest I have had to make.
However, although NGG had
been so good to me, it was time
I moved on.
Little did I know at the
time this decision was just
what I needed.
Transferring to good ’ol
Mighty “O” was undoubtedly
the best decision I have ever
made. And why wouldn’t it
have been? This is to me, one
of the greatest schools in the
country. The Princeton Re
view agrees in its “Best 345
Colleges: Smart Student’s
Guide to College.”
According to the guide, the
University excels in academ
ics, among other things, with
programs of study in areas
such as journalism, business,
law and architecture.
Also according to the Re
view, while “generally, students
aren’t religious, and dorms are
like dungeons,” the school also
provides a community that is
pleasing for nearly everyone.
People of any lifestyle can find
a little piece to call their own,
whether it is just hitting a local
party or joining one of the
many social and political
groups around the campus.
But it doesn’t just stop at the
edge of campus. The students
here are some of the most
aware out there, making this
one of the most politically ac
tive colleges in the nation, at
least according to “The Unoffi
cial, Biased, Insiders Guide to
the Most Interesting Colleges.”
Although most students tend
to be on the left side of the
spectrum, all political views
tend to be heard. In fact, I no
ticed it is hard to even walk to
class without getting a daily
dose of politics.
With more than 17,000 un
dergraduates, the size of this
campus population far out
strips NGG. But even with so
many students here, I don’t
necessarily feel lost in the
crowd, or even caught up in
the shuffle of things. Rather, I
find that I can be myself and,
bit by bit, learn to be more in
dependent and to function on
my own.
Sometimes, it is good to be
just a number. I am one of
17,000, now a number speak
ing to the numbers. My voice
can now make an impact to
such a strong and growing stu
dent body.
Today, I know that the deci
sion I made to come here was
the right one. And I am proud
to be a Duck.
Contact the columnist at
sarahspellman@dailyemerald.com.
Her views do not necessarily
represent those of the Emerald.
Letter to the editor
Kulongoski for governor
As a student at the University, I believe
that Oregonians should elect Ted Kulon
goski as their next governor.
The budget crisis currently facing our
state Legislature threatens to deny Oregon
students the quality education that is po
tentially available to them. Our state is full
of caring and talented teachers as well as
students who will someday live up to the
investment that Oregon citizens should be
making in them.
Kulongoski supports sustainable and
long-term funding solutions for Oregon
schools. In addition to his plan to free #80
million from administration and put it into
Oregon’s classrooms, he recognizes that it
is the job of caring and truly patriotic citi
zens to support state programs and educa
tion. Kulongoski has repeatedly shown his
dedication to serving the needs of all mem
bers of our communities, including youth.
For these reasons, Kulongoski is en
dorsed in his bid for governor by Oregon
teacher groups and has earned the votes
of students. A vote for Kulongoski this
November is a vote for the future of Ore
gon and its children.
Meagan MacLennan
freshman
undeclared