The Durango chapter of GMO Free Colorado will hold a rally at noon today in Buckley Park to protest the use of genetically modified organisms (seeds) and support required labeling of GMO crops.

The focus of the rally, scheduled in 200 cities worldwide, is Monsanto, the largest producer of GMO seeds, and the villain protesters love to hiss.

“We want to get an initiative on the November ballot to require labeling of GMO foods in Colorado,” chapter organizer Julie Meadows said Friday. “Colorado could become the first state to require labeling by initiative.”

Connecticut, Maine and Vermont require GMO food to be labeled as such, but it was done through legislation, Meadows said. Josephine and Jackson counties in Oregon have initiative-driven requirements for labeling.

GMO seeds have been engineered to produce desired qualities. Supporters say the crops can produce abundant food economically to satisfy hunger pangs worldwide. Opponents say GMO seeds contaminate organic fields, the science is unproven and they point to allergies, birth defects, sterility and organ damage they say are the results.

GMO corn, sugar beets, soybeans and wheat are widespread.

Kimberlie Brown, a senior majoring in environmental studies at Fort Lewis College, is coordinating the Buckley Park rally.

Meadows said 64 countries require GMO labeling.

It would require 85,000 valid signatures to get a GMO-labeling initiative on the ballot, Meadows said. At least double the number would be required to assure that there are enough valid signatures, she said.

daler@durangoherald.com