Jennifer Kursman Columnist

If it weren't for the efforts of certain environmental activists, some of the world's most precious treasures wouldn't exist today. Thanks to their hard work, acres of endangered zones, from bio-diverse coral reefs to tropical rainforests, are being preserved. Indeed, environmentalists have dedicated themselves to many worthy causes. But every once in a while, a group of well-intentioned but misguided activists finds a way to discredit the environmental movement, making other eco-crusaders look completely ridiculous.

I present to you Exhibit A: Mendocino County, Calif. Located in the northern part of the state, Mendocino's economy is dominated by agriculture, relying primarily on its vast vineyards to produce wine. Last week, the people of Mendocino voted in favor of a ballot proposal termed Measure H, which made their county the first in the nation to ban genetically modified organisms.

The battle was a tough, challenging fight, but eventually the underdogs - the people of Mendocino - won a victory against the Goliath biotech corporations. A victory for the common folk over the thick-pocketed giants! Let's all celebrate with a glass of Mendocino-grown champagne!

Now that Mendocino companies can label their products GM-free, they hold a significant marketing advantage over every other winemaker in the United States, including those that claim to be "organic."

Er ... not quite. You see, there aren't any genetically modified crops being grown in Mendocino now, nor were such crops ever discovered. The county is virtually GMO-free - no farmer grows familiar GMOs such as corn, alfalfa, rice and soybeans. Also, since the Food and Drug Administration approved genetically engineered crops more than a decade ago, other influential organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the National Academy of Sciences, have concurred that "there is no evidence that unique hazards exist either in the use of DNA techniques or in transfer of genes between unrelated organisms." So what's the reason for the sudden panic over GMOs?

To answer that question, it's necessary to examine Mendocino's economy a little more closely. Mendocino doesn't just grow grapes to make wine - Mendocino manufactures organic wine. Now that Mendocino companies can label their products GMO-free, they hold a significant marketing advantage over every other winemaker in the United States - including those that claim to be "organic."

So these hippies - or should we call them "yuppies" since they're so entrepreneurial? - can't wait to increase their profit margins, while masquerading under the guise of "environmentalism."

But wait, there's more. When the biotech corporation Croplife of America cut a $150,000 check in opposition to the ban, Mendocino voters - known for their proud, populist spirit - likely were frightened into voting to ban GMOs. Yet the anti-GMO initiative slams the door on genetic alterations that could reduce harm to Mendocino's crops.

Forfeiting the opportunity for loss prevention is a risky move; the ban could end up backfiring in the farmers' faces should other counties use GMOs to get ahead in the agriculture arms race. For example, antidotes to Pierce's disease, which destroys grapevines, are currently under development at the University of California, Davis, but Mendocino would never be able to benefit from that protection. And Kent Davis, a professor at UC Davis, said, "Measure H's definition of DNA as a complex protein is scientifically inaccurate."

Furthermore, Mendocino County, like the rest of California, is facing a grim budget crisis. The cost of inspecting residents' gardens in response to complaints is simply a luxury Mendocino cannot afford now, and such inspections are a contradiction to Mendocino's fierce individuality.

Which brings me to the kicker: Mendocino's $156.4 million in overall agriculture revenue is outshadowed by an estimated $2 BILLION pot industry. That's right, the biggest cash crop in Mendocino County is MARIJUANA, not grapes. The county's farm bureau president, Peter Bradford, put it best when he commented, "All plants, whether grown in your backyard or on a farm, could be subject to regulation and enforcement if Measure H passes. Does the government need to know what's growing in your garden?"

Ha! Now you know why they're so paranoid.

Jennifer Kursman enjoys snacking on genetically modified food when she goes hiking in the Catalina Mountains. She is a biochemistry freshman and can be contacted at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.