|
Arguments in favor of GM Crops
|
The proponents argue that GM technologies have been around for about 15 years and they have been in use across the world including in countries such as Brazil and China.
During a visit to India in March 2005, Norman Borlaug – widely regarded as the father of the Green Revolution – supported producing genetically modified (GM) food to eradicate hunger from the world. “It is better to die eating GM food instead of dying of hunger,” said the Nobel laureate, who passed away in 2009.
- Former prime minister, Manmohan Singh, saw biotechnology as key to food security and warned against succumbing to “unscientific prejudices”.
- “The concerns over their (GM crops) perceived risks should be addressed by following internationally accepted procedures for assessing safety parameters. ICAR, which is involved in developing useful products and technologies in this field, must contribute to the public discourse and provide clarity on this sensitive issue,” – President Pranab Mukherjee.
- Indian intelligence agency names anti-GM groups such as Greenpeace India and Gene Campaign as one of the many “anti-national” foreign-funded NGOs hampering India’s economic progress.
- Agriculture scientists from research institutions including IARI, ICAR, and various Universities demanding “field trials” for GM crops, arguing that “confined field trials are essential for the evaluation of productivity performance as well as food and environmental safety assessment”.
- A group of prominent scientists had met under the ‘father of green revolution‘ MS Swaminathan at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences ( NASA) and issued a 15-point resolution in favor of GM crops.
- “A brinjal crop normally requires up to 30 sprays of insecticides. This goes into human consumption indirectly. If we grow and consume Bt brinjal, we will consume some of the genes that have been built into the seeds to make the crop pest- and herbicide-resistant. Ultimately, we have to see which of the two is less harmful for consumption” – S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, Punjab Agriculture University.
|
|
Arguments against Genetically Modified Crops
|
Organizations such as Greenpeace argue that GM crops don’t yield better results, but push the farmers into debt.
They lose their sovereign right over seeds as they are forced to buy GM seeds and technologies from multinational corporations.
The increasing incidence of suicide by farmers cultivating Bt cotton is cited as an example of the perils of GM crops in a country such as India.
Besides the suspect merits of GM crops, what the opponents also say is that once they are released into the environment, it’s irreversible.
- Environmental Impact: Critics argue that GM crops may have unintended ecological consequences, such as harm to non-target organisms, development of resistant pests, or disruption of local ecosystems.
- Human Health: There are concerns about the safety of consuming GM foods, although the scientific consensus is that approved GM crops are safe for human consumption.
- Economic and Socio-cultural Concerns: Some worry about the economic control of GM crop technologies by a few large corporations and the potential displacement of traditional agricultural practices.
|