|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genetically modified food - boon or bane?
|
|
Saturday, 06 October, 2007, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Vrushali Kulkarni, Mumbai
|
a big splash in the news lately. The term GM foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms) is used to refer to the crop plants created for animal as well as human consumption using latest molecular biology techniques. According to this technique the plants have been modified in the laboratory to improve nutritional content and resistance to herbicides. Enhancement of such traits was traditionally undertaken through breeding. The creation of plants with exact desired trait very rapidly and accurately is possible by the modern day genetic engineering. For instance, the gene responsible for drought tolerance can be isolated and can be inserted into different plants. And this new plant gains drought tolerance as well. But according to the nuances in the field of science not only genes of plants but also of non-plant organisms are being used, Bt Bacillus thuringiensis, the gene which is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. Such Bt genes are used in corn and other crops. Bt crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer.
This scientific method of increasing crop productivity a boon to its consumers
The world's population is growing at a fast rate, and there is an acute increase in the demand for food. Even at this stage, GM foods ensure to meet all the food needs. This technique makes the crops pest resistant, disease resistant, cold tolerant, herbicide tolerant, and drought tolerant/salinity tolerant. Also, in several countries people rely on just one crop, which becomes the staple crop of the region, like rice in India. Now rice is genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals ion order to alleviate nutrient deficiencies. For example, it is very common that people develop blindness due to lack of vitamin A, keeping this in mind researchers developed the "golden rice," containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A).
During the growth of plants and trees, the main problem that remains is of soil and water pollution. Many popular trees are being genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil.
Every coin has its negative side
GM crops have several disadvantages, but along with that some environmental activists, public interest groups, some scientist and governments are raising concerns about producing GM crops. Also some member states, and millions of European consumers are unwaveringly against introduction and use of GM foods. Studies found out that gene in various plants injected to control pest has a negative effect not only pest but also on other insects. Unfortunately, Bt toxins kill some species of insect larvae indiscriminately. There are also chances of gene cross-breeding and gene transfer to several unwanted plants.
Also this may affect human health. As many children in US and Europe have developed life threatening allergies. It also causes unknown effect on human health.
"Though Bt cotton is accepted, GM food and crops are not that popular among the masses. The government is on its best to promote the use of this fast growing technology. To avoid the negative sides, it is necessary to follow the stipulated rules and regulations so that the ill-effects can be avoided by modifying it to some extent and making it bearable by the human body systems," says Dr S F D'Souza, associate director, Bioscience Group, BARC.
GM food and India
India has allowed commercial cultivation of Bt cotton, (genetically modified) since 2002. There were huge protests against it. According to the experts this new technology has increased its production and productivity. Today India has become world's second largest cotton producer after China, overtaking US. "There has been less opposition to genetically modified seeds now as farmers have experienced higher yield due to Bt cotton cultivation," Sharad Joshi, president of Shetkari Sanghatana and Rajya Sabha member, said.
Seeing this progress, India has recently approved the first large-scale field trials of genetically modified food crop. And the new hybrid variety of the popular brinjal vegetable has tested positive on its yield with less intensive use of pesticide.
"If hunger could be addressed by technology, the Green Revolution would have done it long ago. Two years back, India had a record food grain surplus of 65 million tonnes. If 65 million tonnes surplus could not feed the 320 million hungry, how will GM food remove hunger? In reality, GM food diverts precious financial resources to an irrelevant research, comes with stronger intellectual property rights, and is aimed at strengthening corporate control over agriculture," says researcher, writer and thinker Devinder Sharma.
Acceptance in the world
The popularity of GM food is different in different parts of the world. Governments around the world are working hard to create a regulatory process to monitor the effects of and improve new varieties of GM plants. However, depending on the political, social and economic climate within a region or country, different governments are responding in different ways.
In Japan, supermarkets are offering both GM foods and unmodified foods, and customers are beginning to show a strong preference for unmodified fruits and vegetables.
Some states like Brazil have banned GM foods completely.
In the United States, the regulatory process is confused because there are three different government agencies that have jurisdiction over GM foods, EPA, USDA & FDA. In Europe, anti-GM food protestors have been especially active. In response to the public outcry, Europe now requires mandatory food labelling of GM foods in stores, and the European Commission (EC) has established a 1% threshold for contamination of unmodified foods with GM food products.
Conclusion
Genetically modified foods have the potential to solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation, international policy and food labelling. Many feel that genetic engineering is the inevitable wave of the future and that we cannot afford to ignore a technology that has such enormous potential benefits. However, we must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|