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Study says Third World dominates gene trade

BS Agriculture Editor in New Delhi

The bulk of trans-national movement of plant genes is taking place within the developing world and not, as commonly believed, from the developing countries to the developed nations.

The studies conducted by the Rome-based International Plant Genetic Resources Institute have indicated that nearly two-third of the total international exchange of plant genetic material was accounted for by developing nations.

This exchange was being facilitated largely by 16 organisations supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research which considers a gene as a 'public good' to be used for the welfare of mankind, the IPGRI director-general Geoffrey Hawtin said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

IPGRI is holding the 20th meeting of its Board of Trustees here. The CGIAR-supported institute is collaborating with several projects in India aimed at conservation and gainful use of plant bio-diversity.

While private companies were exploiting genes of crops of commercial importance, CGIAR bodies were facilitating preservation and use of genes of the crops grown largely by poor farmers.

Asked about illegal flow of genes from gene-rich developing countries to industrialised nations, Hawtin said it was difficult to monitor this activity.

The international community of farm scientists believed that genetically modified seeds had a role to play in agriculture but their use needed to be monitored to prevent any side effects.

"These should not be allowed to contaminate pure genetic material," he added.

Most other issues concerning GM products were related more to trade than to science. Elaborating on the role of genetic modification, Hawtin said in crops like banana, where development of improved varieties were not possible through conventional breeding because banana did not produce seed, genetic modification through bio-technology could be of great use.

Hawtin praised India for setting up one of the world's largest gene banks for preserving plant genetic resources for future generations.

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