The defeat of twin measures in Oregon and Colorado that would have required labeling of foods made with genetically modified ingredients sets the stage for a battle over the issue in the nation's capital, both sides of the debate said on Wednesday.

Megan Brown sells beef from grass-fed cows, but the Butte County rancher’s choice is motivated more by the higher price she can get for organic beef than worries about the health consequences of eating meat from cows that ate genetically modified grain.

Opponents of genetically modified organisms are sounding the alarm statewide over a new California law they contend could derail local efforts to regulate or ban not just GMOs, but all plants, seeds or crops grown in the state.

Modified potato reduces a chemical called acrylamide, which is produced when the potato is fried, and has been approved for commercial planting, the US department of agriculture announced on Friday.

A Maui County Genetically Modified Organism Moratorium Initiative ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in Maui County, Hawaii, where it was approved.

The measure was designed to prohibit any growth, testing or cultivation of genetically modified or engineered crops and put a stop to any genetic modification and engineering operations in the county until an environmental and public health study is conducted and finds the proposed cultivation practices to be safe and harmless. This measure was the first ever initiative attempt in Maui County, where the initiative power was granted through its charter in 1983.

Proponents reported overwhelmingly positive responses from the Maui voters, collecting their first batch of signatures in less than six weeks, while they were allowed 6 months by law.

In the produce aisle of Eureka Natural Foods, every mushroom, zucchini and head of cabbage is organic.

“Organic, organic, organic,” says Bill Schaser, a retired teacher and loyal customer.

Colorado and Oregon could soon become the first states in the nation to pass ballot initiatives mandating the labeling of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Earlier this year, Vermont became the first state to approve GMO labeling through the legislative process, but the decision is now being challenged in the courts.

Dozens of Maui mothers are going door-to-door to urge voters to back a ban on the cultivation of genetically engineered crops because they think they are unsafe.

We are writing to voice our support for measure P, the ballot initiative which would ban the growing of GMO crops in Humboldt County. If passed, it will join similar efforts in Mendocino and Trinity Counties, and will create a large zone that protects organic farming. GMO issues are complex, and having spent time considering both sides of the debate, we believe that Measure P is a step in the right direction.

Colorado’s voters continue to be pounded by multi-million dollar political advertising campaigns, often with the two candidates or issue opponents fairly evenly matched, with no respite in sight until Election Day.