The Hindu Business Line : GM seed: A national policy?

The Agriculture Minister's decision to import Minister for Agriculture intends GM (genetically-modified) oilseeds is a question of national policy. Although UK Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and others favour the idea, scientists and traders are concerned about its pros and cons in the national interest of the people.

The various opinions of farm scientists on the subject are:

Do they have scientific programmes to go for intensive cultivation of oilseed crops to reduce the shortage gradually?

Do they agree upon importing of GM products?

Will not — from the experience around the world — the import of GM products curtail the freedom of the farmers in procuring their own seeds?

Will it not eliminate local germplasm?

Won't the big bosses interfere in out national farm policy?

Can we expect the benefit-risk factors are analysed frankly?

K. K. Lakshmanan

Coimbatore

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