NEW DELHI: South Against Genetic Engineering, a coalition of 50 networks, individuals and civil society groups from the southern states, have opposed genetic engineering (GE) technology and impressed upon the Centre not to allow the import of GE foods until these were conclusively proven safe.

The regulatory mechanism available in the country such as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and the Food Standards Council should be made more transparent and autonomous.

Currently, these are captured by the industry and as consumers we oppose GE food and GE technology by such mechanism, the coalition has said in a letter addressed to the Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary. The issue of permitting entry of GM foods in India was discussed at a roundtable by a 52-member group comprising food scientists, nutrition experts and agricultural scientists, law specialists, farmers and consumer groups besides environmental agencies.

They questioned the need to allow the import of GE foods and said that they were convinced of the advantages of traditional foods over the genetically engineered foods. "The traditional cropping technology that is marked by bio-diverse farming systems contains all human nutritional needs within it. These systems are natural, non-toxic, and the knowledge of their cultivation is located within the community," they said. Rejecting GE food and technology, the meeting said that authentic alternatives existed in the country including organic and traditional systems of food production.

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