The Hindu : Kerala News : Need to examine all aspects of GM crops

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Need to examine all aspects of GM crops

The Kerala Government and many environmental activists oppose field trials of genetically modified crops in Kerala, saying these will endanger biodiversity. But some experts hold the view that the State should make gainful use of biotechnology. Our readers respond:

Solution to problems

For some people, genetically modified crops are a boon to mankind while for others they are a Pandora’s Box from which will spring a number of troubles.

A growing number of plant foods have been developed in recent years by inserting a new gene into a crop to get advantageous characteristics. Genetically modified crops improve production, are resistant to pests, and have a better shelf life and nutrient value. It is a pity that our environmentalists and scientists are at loggerheads on this issue. There are concerns about endangering biodiversity but environmentalists should see what promise these crops hold

It will be a folly to ban genetically modified crops for they can serve as a panacea for our country’s economical and food problems.

Ambily Adithyan

Malappuram

Need for more studies

The Government and many environmental activists have opposed field trials of genetically modified crops in the State while some experts are of the view that we should go ahead with the profitable use of biotechnology to attain food security.

Hitherto technological developments have brought about revolutionary changes in our lives and biotechnology is not an exception. As such, carrying out field trials of genetically modified organisms or crops will not endanger biodiversity though it is being opposed by some groups. But long-term effects have to be studied well before these are introduced on a large scale. The experts in the field of genetically modified crops also have to clear doubts and fears in the minds of the people about genetic modifications. But people should also be aware that the existing practices must change with times.

K.K. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

Threat to food safety

There are apprehensions all round about the widespread cultivation and use of genetically modified crops. The European Union and Japan have made their rules regarding import of GM seeds stringent. In Andhra Pradesh where we cultivated Bt cotton, farmers and livestock developed allergies and other health problems. If this is the case with cotton, use of these seeds in food crops will be more disastrous. It will pose a threat to our food security and biodiversity.

There are several safe and environment-friendly sustainable technologies to achieve an increase in food production to meet the demands of the growing population. The intention of multinationals engaged in field trials of genetically modified seeds is to establish their supremacy over traditional farming in the Third World and to get farmers of these countries fully dependent on them.

Prakash Putham Madathil

Malappuram

Not a solution

The idea of genetically modified crops has been under fire from its very inception as it involves certain contentious issues. Its application is advocated by those who have patented the technology. However, one has to view a technology not only from its commercial proposition but also from the social impact it will have. The social compatibility of the knowledge and its use has to be ensured before the application is advocated; otherwise, it can be counterproductive.

The single largest beneficiary of genetically modified crops, as things stand today, is not the country or the farmer but the large corporate players who take advantage of the prevailing situation to make money. Our farmers will become fully dependent on them.

The time is not ripe for adoption of this practice at least in the State, if not in the country as a whole.

Our own scientists have evolved a good number of hybrid seeds. It is also a fact that we have lost hundreds of local varieties which were resistant to pests and diseases. What is required is to allow farmers to maintain genetic diversity in agriculture crops. The answer to the problems of Indian agriculture is not genetically modified crops but ensuring remunerative price for the produce.

T. Govindankutty Nair

Kozhikode

Must for future needs

India could attain self-sufficiency in wheat production after the introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of wheat developed by Norman Borlaug by using techniques in classical genetics. The contributions of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of Green Revolution in India, in introducing and propagating genetically modified Mexican Dwarf variety of wheat in India is acknowledged the world over. This has been a phenomenon that has not led to any environmental problems affecting the biodiversity.

Now, more advanced and refined techniques are available owing to the efforts of molecular biologists in developing plant varieties of desired characteristics. Introducing such varieties in our farms will greatly increase our agricultural productivity and returns to farmers. The population is on the increase and the total available arable land remains constant. Therefore, the future of the food situation in the country looks grim unless a second Green Revolution is brought about by application of molecular genetics. This can be done only with a political will and a clear mandate of the public. It is the responsibility of environmentalists and social activists to point out with precise scientific basis how the introduction of genetically modified plant varieties can adversely affect the biodiversity of the concerned region, in this case Kerala.

K.K. Sakariah

Kottayam

Exercise caution

Our existing biodiversity has been evolved through millions of years of complicated and subtle processes. Hence biodiversity is a more valuable asset for a nation and the world at large than the shorter goal of increasing productivity and production. Any attempt at introducing genetically modified crops should therefore be done with utmost caution and sensitivity.

Vineetha Joy

Thrissur

Address concerns

Genetically modified food crops are grown with success in developed and developing countries resulting in high quantitative and qualitative productivity viz., enhanced taste and quality, reduced maturation time, increased nutrients, stress tolerance, improved resistance to pests and diseases, thereby giving food security to the growing population. Countries where genetically modified crops are grown have not reported significant health damage or environmental harm and biodiversity. Moreover farmers are using less pesticides or using less toxic ones, reducing harm to water supplies and workers’ health and allowing return of beneficial insects to the fields. Some of the concerns relating to ‘gene flow’ and pest resistance have been addressed. Extreme shrinkage of cultivated lands which are used for other developmental activities, loss of productivity, chronic shortage of food grains and increasing demands cause serious concern in the State and should be addressed. Therefore the trials with GM crops should be encouraged and the benefits reaped in the best interest of the people.

K.N. Subramanian

Former director Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore

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