In protest against the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s (GEAC) nod for the commercial cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) brinjal in the country, the Coalition for GM-Free India took out a march and staged a dharna in front of the Ernakulam telephone exchange on Friday.The coalition turned the World Food Day observance into a protest day in view of the alleged threat emanating from Bt.brinjal. Environmental and social activist C.R. Neelakantan, who inaugurated the dharna, said that the green signal for Bt.brinjal would open the floodgates to other GM crops and foods.Genetic engineering in food and crops would cause unimaginable harm to human health as well as the environment, he cautioned.
The environmental activists, who spoke at the dharna, urged the Union government to reject the GEAC recommendation to allow Bt.brinjal cultivation. The GEAC had recently approved the commercial cultivation of Bt.brinjal in spite of the mounting protests by environmental and social organisations across the country, which alleged that multinational seed companies were pressuring India to allow GM crops cultivation. Genetically-modified foods are a highly controversial issue across the world and the scientific community is divided over the benefits and threats of GM crops. While those pushing for Bt.brinjal claim that it will enormously increase brinjal productivity, opponents say that the anticipated benefits would far outweigh the harm to human health, farmers’ economic security and damage to the environment.
The Hindu, 17th October 2009
1 comment:
As a farmer I have been cultivating Bt Cotton for the past 5 years. Like everyone I had my apprehension about Bt technology before I tried it. I seldom purchase any pesticide to control bollworm in Bt Cotton.Though Bt Cotton controls only the boll worm,sucking pests like Jassids,Aphids,White Fly etc do affect Bt Cotton. But as I do not spray any insecticide to control boll worm in Bt Cotton, I am able to preserve the natural predators like spiders, laddy bird beetle etc in my Bt Cotton Field, which prey upon such sucking pests too. I would rather say the incidece of sucking pest is rather low in Bt Cotton when compared to it's non Bt counter part. In my Bt Cotton field I have observed more honey bee activity. I really wonder why there isn't much resistance and opposition from environment activists against Chemical Pesticides ! I feel we must get the opinion of CFTRI Mysore, in respect of the effect of Bt Brinjal on humans and animals. Before such expert opinion is sought we should reserve our our opinion whether for or against Bt Brinjal. VKV.RAVICHANDRAN.FARMER, T.NADU, mobile#9443683724
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