The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Awareness about genetically modified foods needed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Awareness about genetically modified foods needed'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 15. The next time you reach out for a packet of an imported brand of chips at a supermarket, keep in mind that it is possible that genetically modified (GM) potatoes, which might not be safe to consume, were used to make the product.

There is no ban on GM foods in the country. Moreover, most GM products are not labelled, and people often have no way of finding out about the contents, according to consumer rights organisations.

"You won't know with what gene a tomato has been injected, or if you will develop an allergy to it. There is not much information to show that it is safe to eat," said Divya Raghunandan, campaigner at Greenpeace India, at an event to celebrate "World Consumer Rights Day" on Tuesday (this year's theme was the threat posed to consumers by GM products). "As there is no label, you do not know whether an animal or a plant gene was used." Some species of tomatoes have been developed using genes from pigs while moth genes have been used to produce a new variety of apples.

Genetic engineering involves altering the genetic material of cells or organisms to enable them to make new substances or perform new functions. Under the technology, the genetic makeup of one organism is changed by transferring DNA from another organism. The technology has been used to produce new varieties of plants and animals. Among the main crops that are being genetically modified are soyabean, maize, and cotton.

Ms. Raghunandan said scientists have been unable to prove that GM foods are more nutritious. "Scientists say they have increased the protein content in GM potato. But you need to eat 10 kg of this potato daily to meet the body's protein requirements," she remarked.

`Invasion of GM foods'

V.K. Somasekhar, managing trustee of Grahak Shakti, a Bangalore-based consumer rights organisation, said the "invasion of GM foods has to be checked." "You cannot bring in a Frankenstein into our system in the name of science,"

According to him, the Indian experiment with Bt cotton has not yielded much results. "The plant has not been able to produce as much as the scientists predicted. The crops failed for a few years," he said.

Mr. Somasekhar said farmers may invest heavily in GM seeds without being aware of the drawbacks. "The seeds are almost three times as expensive as natural seeds. If the crop fails, the farmer will be pushed into severe debt." He said the Government should develop a comprehensive food policy that takes into account the effect that GM crops will have on the economy.

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