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'Scientists must clarify stance on GM crops'

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh Governor and eminent economist Dr C Rangarajan on Thursday asked the Indian scientists to address squarely the issue of genetically modified crops and their suitability for this country.

Inaugurating a three-day international workshop on "Biotechnological interventions for dryland agriculture: Opportunities and constraints" in Hyderabad, Dr Rangarajan said: "It is high time that scientists came out with a clear assessment of the role of genetically modified crops. Every technological advance brings with it potential benefits and risks. However, the scientific community has an obligation to state whether on balance the introduction of transgenic crops is good for the society or not. Continuing controversies on such issues are harmful."

Pointing out that India was one of the few countries where a regulatory system with respect to bio-safety was in place, the former Reserve Bank of India governor said despite this, controversy continued with regard to the permission given for introduction of Bt-cotton.

"While the country and the farmers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks, we must also take care to ensure that we do not miss out on the benefits of a new technology. The community will be guided by the consensus or near-consensus among the scientists and experts," he observed.

Rangarajan said for determining whether biotechnology was the appropriate new technological paradigm in the fight against hunger, it was imperative to have a close look at the perceived benefits and risks. Over the years, biotechnology has made significant advances in areas of fermentation, biofertilisers, biocontrol agents, tissue culture and genetic engineering.

Despite the controversy surrounding transgenic seeds, the cultivated area of genetically modified crops increased to 52.6 million hectares all over the world in the year 2001.

Four countries account for 99 per cent of the global transgenic area, with the United States occupying the top position with 68 per cent of the total, followed by Argentina (22 per cent), Canada (six per cent) and China (three per cent). The principal GM crops grown are soyabean (63 per cent), followed by GM corn (19 per cent), transgenic cotton (13 per cent) and canola (five per cent).

Though the tools of biotechnology developed over the last 30 years have clearly opened up dramatic opportunities to create new varieties of plants and animals, the novelty of biotechnology has raised several issues, the most important of which relates to biosafety.

"Some view biotechnology as a logical and modest extension of conventional plant and animal breeding technologies. Others see it as a novel technology that is entirely different from the traditional plant-breeding. Some fear that it can lead to bio-devastation. Some talk of Frankenstein foods," Rangarajan said.

He said that while India claimed self-sufficiency in production of foodgrains, two-thirds of Indian children under age five were malnourished. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defined food security as state of affairs where all people at all times have access to safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

"We in India still have several miles to go," he said.

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