As social activists, environmental researchers and a section of the agricultural scientists point out, it is for the first time that a genetically modified vegetable is being permitted to go through the field trials without studying the problems and consequences of introducing a vegetable carrying an alien genetic material. For the current scientific literature on the effect of GM (genetically modified) food on human health is not sure and clear about the nature and extent of the effect exerted by the genetically engineered food on the human well being.
Everything is going as planned and Bt.brinjal is expected to hit the market in a year’s time. But then what gives an ominous tone to the introduction of Bt.brinjal is the recent scientific study in Australia, which says that consumption of GM food could be one of the contributing factors to the increasing incidence of infertility.
In Europe, where there is a strong public opinion against the GM food, US agrochemical giants have not been able to make much headway in promoting their genetically engineered food products. For instance, in Switzerland, the moratorium on introducing genetically engineered food was extended on public demand. In Italy and Austria, government-funded studies have gone to show adverse impact of growing and consuming GM food.
Scientists at the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture wonder why there are no independent studies aimed at evaluating the impact of GM food from a variety of angles or an effort at labeling GM food products in India. Not labeling the products would imply that consumers will be left with no choice in so far as picking the food products is concerned.
Significantly, the research and field studies for the development of Bt.brinjal is done in Bangalore and Dharwad in Karnataka. Meanwhile, reports appearing in a section of the media point out that Maharastra Hybrid Seed Company(Mahyco), which is the Indian marketing arm for the US agrochemical and biotechnology giant Monsanto, has already received approval for the seed production of Bt.brinjal. However, the claim that Bt.brinjal would help end poverty is being questioned by experts familiar with the GM crops. Experience with Bt.cotton has already gone to show that with a heavy input cost including the purchase of seeds every sowing season, the farmer stands to gain little
The controversy over granting approval to Bt brinjal is set to deepen. Questions are being asked about the composition and functioning of the 16 member expert committee that granted approval to Bt brinjal.
Everything is going as planned and Bt.brinjal is expected to hit the market in a year’s time. But then what gives an ominous tone to the introduction of Bt.brinjal is the recent scientific study in Australia, which says that consumption of GM food could be one of the contributing factors to the increasing incidence of infertility.
In Europe, where there is a strong public opinion against the GM food, US agrochemical giants have not been able to make much headway in promoting their genetically engineered food products. For instance, in Switzerland, the moratorium on introducing genetically engineered food was extended on public demand. In Italy and Austria, government-funded studies have gone to show adverse impact of growing and consuming GM food.
Scientists at the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture wonder why there are no independent studies aimed at evaluating the impact of GM food from a variety of angles or an effort at labeling GM food products in India. Not labeling the products would imply that consumers will be left with no choice in so far as picking the food products is concerned.
Significantly, the research and field studies for the development of Bt.brinjal is done in Bangalore and Dharwad in Karnataka. Meanwhile, reports appearing in a section of the media point out that Maharastra Hybrid Seed Company(Mahyco), which is the Indian marketing arm for the US agrochemical and biotechnology giant Monsanto, has already received approval for the seed production of Bt.brinjal. However, the claim that Bt.brinjal would help end poverty is being questioned by experts familiar with the GM crops. Experience with Bt.cotton has already gone to show that with a heavy input cost including the purchase of seeds every sowing season, the farmer stands to gain little
The controversy over granting approval to Bt brinjal is set to deepen. Questions are being asked about the composition and functioning of the 16 member expert committee that granted approval to Bt brinjal.
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