The Hindu Business Line : GM food: Substantial progress made in research

Mumbai, Dec. 14 The Union Minister for Health, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, is reportedly opposed to the entry of genetically modified (GM) foods and seeds. The basis of the Minister’s opposition is unclear. Whether it is based on sound science or out of ideology or political compulsion is something the Minister himself must clarify.

According to reports, the Minister’s political party – Pattali Makkal Katchi – had taken a political decision to oppose introduction of GM seeds.

A number of activist groups are, of course, opposed to cultivation of modified crops. Some of them had even indulged in vandalism, uprooting plants and disrupting research work.

Inspired by Bt cotton

On the other hand, the country’s experience in cultivation of GM cotton (Bt cotton) has been positive. After the introduction of the country’s first GM crop, cotton output has expanded by leaps and bounds. From 170 lakh bales five years ago, the output is over 310 lakh bales now.

Nearly 60 per cent of the total area under cotton is planted with Bt cottonseeds. Yields have considerably improved. Farmers have favoured the new technology seeds as they have perceived its value. This has turned India into an exporter of cotton from being a large importer five years ago.

The fact that technology has delivered cannot be denied. Inspired by the success of GM cotton, there is now pressure on the Government to explore other crops.

One such crop is Bt. brinjal, genetically modified brinjal, containing an alien gene Bascillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Trials on for Bt brinjal

Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co Ltd (Mahyco), which holds authorisation from the Government to research the seed, is already at the final stage of its trials.

Large-scale field trials are currently going on in 11 different locations in the country, including States such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

When contacted, Dr M.K. Sharma, General Manager at the company’s research centre at Jalna in Maharashtra, told Business Line that the large-scale field trials are going on for the second year according to Government directive through a Government agency – Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) headquartered at Varanasi.

Results of the large-scale field trials are yet to be received and compiled, the process of which may take up to a couple of months, he said. After that the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee will take a decision about permitting commercialisation of the product.

Some positives

A popular vegetable grown across the country, brinjal faces threat from fruit shoot borer, an insect that growers claim creates huge problems. To fight the pest, growers indulge in frequent indiscriminate spraying of agro-chemicals.

According to Dr Sharma, spraying takes place between 25 and 60 times during the 120-130 days of the crop growth cycle.

This not only adds to production cost, but also pollutes the environment. On the other hand, the Bt. gene in the researched vegetable is known to repel fruit shoot borer and help save on agro-chemicals, the scientist added.

It is obvious the country’s Health Minister is unaware of what’s happening in the realm of scientific research. The Government is committed to encouraging agricultural biotechnology and introduction of technology seeds.

Checks in place

In order to address bio-safety-related issues, several layers of monitoring have been mandated. Corporates engaged in such seed research have to go through a series of closely monitored procedures.

Without doubt, food quality and safety, in addition to food access and affordability, are critical issues for the country. The Health Ministry is responsible for availability of safe food to consumers. Obviously, views of the Ministry would invariably influence policy decisions relating to introduction of technology seeds in agriculture, especially in food crops.

But what is disturbing is that here is a case where research has made substantial progress according to Government specified protocol and is in the final stages of conclusion.

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