GMO- FRIEND OR

FOE..
IntroductionA genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic
material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Organisms
that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as
bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals.
Genetically modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants, the
DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In
most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not
occur naturally in the species.
The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1982, using an
antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant.

WORLDWIDE USE OF GM CROPSUSA has the largest planted area for the GM crops followed by Brazil,
Argentina, India and Canada. The share of the rest of the world is quite less.
But the other developing countries are also trying to adopt it. India has 5-6%
of its agricultural area reserved of plantation of GM crops.

ADVANTAGESGM crops grown today, or under experimental development, have been

modified with traits intended to provide benefit to farmers, consumers, or
industry. These traits include

improved shelf life,

disease resistance,
stress resistance,
herbicide resistance,
pest resistance,
production of useful goods such as biofuel or drugs,
ability to absorb toxins, for use in bioremediation of pollution.

DISADVANTAGES-

1. Harm to other organisms. For example genes and their effect included
in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects (monarch butterfly
poisoned by GMO corns).
2. Critics say GMOs may cause health problems.
3. Possible damages to the environment.
4. Additional costs of labeling.

GM CROPS IN INDIAThe GM crops are mainly grown in the areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamilnadu, Gujarat and Karnataka. Bt(Bacillus thuringensis toxin) brinjal and
cotton with few other crops were introduced in India. Bt cotton was very
successful attempt as it increased the yield of cotton resulting in making
india cotton exporting country instead of cotton exporting one. Bt cotton
increased yields, profits, and living standards of smallholder farmers. The
insects now had developed resistance against Bt cotton and thus decreasing
the yield. Therefore, recently farmers suicide were attached with it.
On 1 January 2013, a new law came into effect that required all packaged
foods containing any genetically modified organisms to be labeled to
differentiate it with non-GM foods. This created outburst with reason that
even USA doesnt allow labelling as both(GM and non-GM foods) are healthy
foods and labelling will increase the cost.
Recently, the final report by technical expert committee (TEC) put the
indefinite stoppage on all open field trials of GM crops and conditioned
special risk protocols.
The use of GM crops in india had been widely the topic of debate. Lets
understand the pros and cons of it as determined by scientific experts.-

Those who support say following

Earlier this month, Indias Parliament passed a bill aimed at delivering

subsidized food to around 800 million people which means the
production will increase and GM Increment in production will lead to
more income of farmers and farmers suicides can be controlled and
they can save their revenues.
The increase in production will lead to less farmers suicide and they
will be able to pay their debts.
The health benefits for the poor farmers have also been increased
especially the malnutrition can be removed.

Millions of people and cattles all over the globe are eating Bt corn for
over 30 years thus health and environment problems nowhere exist.

Those who oppose it say following

It had not shown the sustainable results in last 30 years as it had

promised.
The cost of the GM seeds is growing rapidly.
GM products attract because of its intellectual property patents but the
agriculture is about growing food.
The organic farming is the alternate and the best way which can be
used for agriculture. It even doesnt require the insecticides. The EU
also doesnt use the GM crops but still have the production nearly
equal to that of USA.
There have been increasing risks of environment and health because of
GM crops.

LEARN FROM CHINAOver this conflict, there are few things which we need to learn from our
neighbor.
1.

2.

China has almost 6000 PhDs in agriculture biotech alone while

india has 8900 PhDs in all sciences put together. Thus the
educational system must inspire students for further research
works.
In india, MNCs ultimately decide the style of agriculture. Thus
the scientific power of the country mostly remains unnoticed.
China gives their scientist a chance and freedom and if they
do not deliver, china haul them up. This s how it goes with
both, MNCs and countrys scientists.

WHAT TO DO?We need all available agricultural technologies, including biotechnology, to

meet the current and projected global demand for food, feed, fibre, and
biofuels. Plant breeding and genetic modification should help.
The various concerns can be overcome if concerted efforts are made by
government, public institutions, scientific community, private players and
NGOs. We have built quite a rigorous regulatory regime. Field trials should
not stop.

India cannot afford to go back at this stage after putting so much time,
effort, energy and resources to build the requisite infrastructure and capacity.
A new centre for agriculture biotechnology was announced even in the last
Budget, adding to the enormous public sector infrastructure at the Centre
and the States. The stage is set for a robust biotechnology regime. Shunning
it is surely not the best option.
We need to shed prejudice regarding Bt crops as somebody
also saidGM crops dont kill kids. Opposing them does.

SOURCES1.
2.
3.
4.

articles of the hindu newspaper dated August 12, sept 2, sept 7

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/columnists/article3830725.ece
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_crops#Controversy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies#I
ndian_controversies
5. http://www.countercurrents.org/en-sharma050404.htm
by AGAM JAIN