BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Sugar beets have sparked a lively debate in Boulder, where a proposal by six farmers to grow genetically modified beets has divided town officials.
The beet debate started last December when farmers sought permission to use Boulder County open space land for genetically modified beets. The beets are called Roundup Ready. They were created by agribusiness giant Monsanto Corp. to resist Roundup, an herbicide also produced by the company.
The sugar beet request was approved by parks officials but denied by the county's Food and Agriculture Policy agency. The question will be settled Tuesday by the county board of commissioners.
Officials say the beet proposal has sparked a community debate over the ethics of genetically modified food.
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