May 11, 2000 / The Hindu / M.D.Nair
Debates on the development, production, marketing and consumption of
genetically modified agricultural crops (GM Crops) continue
unabated, notwithstanding the fact that r-DNA technology and genetic
engineering continue to deliver major technological breakthroughs in health
care and agriculture. On the healthcare side, over a billion people (one
sixth of the world's population), suffer from infectious diseases and severe
malnutrition. Over one fifth of the World's population live below the
poverty line. During the next fifty years, an additional 3 billion people
will have to be fed.There is little chance of adequate arable land being
available for the additional food needs to sustain such a population. In
addition, petroleum stocks are expected to peak in another fifteen years and
the only major renewable energy source will be the sun. To harvest sun's
energy, one needs green plants, which are powerhouses, which use the
technology of photosynthesis. It is clear that any technology that provides
answers to some of these seemingly insoluble problems should be encouraged
by the World at large. One such technology, which offers promise, is
biotechnology. And yet evidence that this frontier technology will ensure
adequate and safe food supply to World's growing population is not
unambiguous. Questions are being raised on aspects of long term safety and
effects on the environmental and ecological systems. Where then is the
balance between these contrasting views and two possible scenarios? Agro-
biotechnology is one of the fastest growing industries, particularly in the
U.S. Since the approval of genetically engineered crops in 1996 in U.S., GM
Soyabean is grown in around 30 million acres, and Corn in 20 million acres.
The major producers of GM crops in 1998 was U.S. (70 per cent), Argentina
(12 per cent), Canada (10 per cent) and others including Australia, China,
France, Mexico, South Africa and Spain making up the rest.Trials to evaluate
GM food crops are going on in many countries in Europe, Japan and even in
India. Among the other crops on which considerable work has been done
include Potatoes, Tomatoes, Canola and Rapeseed Oils, Sugar Cane, Beet,
Coffee, Pineapple and Rice. Increase in cultivation of GM Crops is
restricted largely due to delays in regulatory approvals in most countries.
It is well-known that genes control specific traits and characteristics both
in the plant and animal kingdoms. While conventional breeding techniques are
based on random selection left to chance, the new technology has the ability
to predict how specific DNA sequences can lead to desirable characteristics
in the new species such as higher yields, better nutritional values,
resistance to insects etc. The benefits Advocates of GM Crops claim
outstanding benefits to society through assuring food security without
sacrificing the quality of the environment. For example, in crops modified
to resist attack by pests, use of pesticides could be avoided. Less
production of chemical pesticides reduces pollution and saves energy. GM
crops have shown increased crop yields due to elimination of damage from
pests and diseases and by enhancing absorption of nutrients from the soil.
For the consumer, apart from economic considerations increased availability
and more choices and crops with better nutritional qualities could be
developed. What are the risks involved ? There are several fundamental
issues and concerns expressed largely by the environmentalists on the
development and use of GM Crops. The regulatory agencies in most countries,
as usual, have taken a passive, cautious stance on most of these concerns.
The Scientists have been ambivalent on most issues and have not helped
matters to clarify the doubts in the minds of the public and the media.
Prima facie, there is a fear of the unknown and untested (over long periods)
and concerns that multi-national Corporations who are the promoters of the
new technology, will overlook potential risk factors in the interest of
maximizing profits to be gained through development of exclusive
technologies. What are the potential risks? The perceptions of risks arising
from the new gene technology and use of transgenic plants are: - movement of
genes to closely related wild species and other crop varieties of the same
species; - possible evolution of new pathogens and pests to overcome
resistant crops; -development of new allergens, which can affect at least
some consumers. -introduction of genetic material from animals, microbes,
viruses, etc., in plants and its impact; - generation of new plants with
undesirable or unstable traits; - depletion of plant bio-diversity and
natural selection of new species; - impact on agricultural practices; -
development of imbalances in the eco system. As of now, there is no
scientific basis for these concerns; nevertheless, long-term effects cannot
be predicted unambiguously with our limited experience with this technology.
In addition to all these, there is the issue of fundamental rights of human
beings to be aware of what they eat and have the choice of rejection. The
recent agreement in Montreal on guidelines for labeling of GM Crops, when
implemented, would enable consumers to make their choice of foods. This
issue, of course, is no different from the disputes over fluoridation of
drinking water or iodination of salt. What needs to be done? One of the
positive aspects of the public furore over GM foods is that, most countries
have taken up validation of their safety seriously. For example, appropriate
answers need to be found to ensure that the genes introduced into plants
will behave in a predictable manner over generations, the activity of a
transgene is not affected by new viral infections, there will be no
potential side-effects of insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant GM Crops
on non-target species, and that there is no impact of viral DNA inserted in
Crop Genome on other viruses and on wild plants. Agricultural Scientists and
Biotechnologists would do well to find answers to some of these questions
and help society and regulatory agencies arrive at meaningful decisions on
the future directions for genetic research on agricultural crops for
developing new transgenic plant varieties for human consumption. Even though
field trials with GM Crops have been approved by the Government, India's
policy on these issues is yet to be finalized. There is no denying that
biotechnological breakthroughs in agriculture can contribute to India's food
security. It will be prudent, if the current debates are addressed through
scientific inputs rather than through meaningless and activist-oriented
emotional outbursts and rhetoric.
(posted without permission)
