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M.R. Subramani

Nashville (US) , July 4

THE next generation of genetically modified (GM) crops is likely to face more controversy since it will relate to crops that are directly consumed as food by humans.

Currently, the second generation of GM crops in the pipeline is drought and sale tolerant varieties, besides those with health aspects.

According to Mr Greg Jaffe, Director, Centre for Science in Public Interest, the safety issue of these food crops will be difficult to assess.

"Markets for these crops such as rice and wheat will be different from that of the one where the current set of GM crops has been launched. Also, there will be less industry support for the future applications," he told the 17th convention of the US National Agricultural Biotechnology Council.

Currently, GM crops that are in commercial use are cotton, corn, soyabean, flax, and canola.

Stating that current applications of GM crops continue to be controversial, he said that factors that had to be considered for the next generation transgenic crops were the US regulation barring GM wheat and fish.

Mr Jaffe said that the regulatory system in several countries, especially the US, should require approving before each planting, conducting environment risk analysis, and establishing in permits growing conditions that minimise risk.

"There should also be mandatory food safety regulation. The risk assessments of GM crops are not thorough," he said, adding that these did not analyse risk of gene flow, effects on non-targets, and containment in case something goes wrong.

"A mandatory pre-market review is necessary for introduction of GM crops besides better guarding of the food supply. Also, a pre-market analysis of potential risks should be made."

Dwelling on the road to acceptance of GM crops, Mr Jaffe said that there should be strong regulatory system to manage risks, independent risk assessment research, details of beneficial applications and consumer benefits, and avoiding controversial applications. "We need a strong regulatory system world over to safeguard human health."

Participants at the convention stressed the need for change in the regulatory system.

Most of the speakers were critical of the US regulatory system, which they said was more concerned about the process than the product.

According to them, when funding for research is limited and potential for GM crops looks great, there should be a review of the system to reduce costs.

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