A controversy is brewing over a bill being debated in Lansing that would strip local communities of the right to ban the planting of genetically modified seeds (commonly called GMOs, for genetically modified organisms).

On the one hand are locally concerned citizens and small organic farmers, who fear (not without reason) that genetically modified crops will spread from the farms where they are planted to other neighboring farms and lands, where they can become "super-weeds" with a built-in genetic resistance to pesticides and even make landowners and growers liable to lawsuits from aggressive big seed companies like Monsanto. Or, in the case of an organic grower, these unwanted volunteers may endanger the operation's organic certification.

On the other side are the large, conventional farmers who want to plant these seeds because they allow the use of cheaper herbicides which the plants are bred to resist. These growers fear their freedom to farm being encroached upon by local voters who have no investment in, or understanding of, agriculture.

Who gets control? Local voters and small growers concerned to control the influx of GMOs into their communities and fields? Or large farmers, seed companies and their legislative allies seeking to make sure the rights to sell and farm are not compromised? This is a controversy we'll be hearing more about.