Food for thought
Even so, a contentious debate has broken out. The opponents of genetically modified crops, whether for sale or consumption, had already raised several red flags.
The clearing of bt brinjal for consumption in India by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee may be just one step in a long process before this genetically modified vegetable is available in the market, but it is an important one.
Even so, a contentious debate has broken out. The opponents of genetically modified crops, whether for sale or consumption, had already raised several red flags. Now they are bound to vigorously up the ante.
The supporters claim that this form of brinjal is resilient to certain pests and therefore is easier for farmers to produce. Its opponents however point out several flaws in the argument.
For one, India is home to the brinjal, eggplant or aubergine, of which there are innumerable varieties. If a new version is introduced, it may seriously affect not only biodiversity but also the versions of indigenous brinjal.
A bigger concern, as expressed by the naysayers, is the safety aspect; research has reportedly shown that laboratory rats have suffered health problems after consuming modified brinjal. There are reports that it increases resistance to antibiotics.
The battlelines then will be drawn between greater yield and possible health problems, potentially between farmers and the eating public. India produces over 9,000,000 metric tons of brinjal every year. The brinjal is also widely consumed in India, across all socio-economic groups.
For now, the government has decided to play down the GEAC approval and has accused environmental bodies like Greenpeace of needlessly heating up the debate. Union minister for forests and the environment Jairam Ramesh has made it clear that the government will decide only after hearing all the arguments.
At its most basic level, the problem is between maintaining status quo for the sake of it and thereby stalling progress and, conversely, blindly moving towards progress without adequate understanding of consequences. Both stances are limiting and counter-productive. Instead of emotional posturing and high-decibel fights, we need reasoned and informed argument about the benefits and dangers of genetically modified foods.
We also need transparency from the agencies concerned — the corporates, the scientific community, the environmentalists and the government. The advances of science are taking us further than ever before.
Since these changes are exciting and frightening we need to know how they work. Genetically modified vegetables are being consumed across the world. What makes bt brinjal so scary? We need clarity on it since it involves safety issues.
Even so, a contentious debate has broken out. The opponents of genetically modified crops, whether for sale or consumption, had already raised several red flags. Now they are bound to vigorously up the ante.
The supporters claim that this form of brinjal is resilient to certain pests and therefore is easier for farmers to produce. Its opponents however point out several flaws in the argument.
For one, India is home to the brinjal, eggplant or aubergine, of which there are innumerable varieties. If a new version is introduced, it may seriously affect not only biodiversity but also the versions of indigenous brinjal.
A bigger concern, as expressed by the naysayers, is the safety aspect; research has reportedly shown that laboratory rats have suffered health problems after consuming modified brinjal. There are reports that it increases resistance to antibiotics.
The battlelines then will be drawn between greater yield and possible health problems, potentially between farmers and the eating public. India produces over 9,000,000 metric tons of brinjal every year. The brinjal is also widely consumed in India, across all socio-economic groups.
For now, the government has decided to play down the GEAC approval and has accused environmental bodies like Greenpeace of needlessly heating up the debate. Union minister for forests and the environment Jairam Ramesh has made it clear that the government will decide only after hearing all the arguments.
At its most basic level, the problem is between maintaining status quo for the sake of it and thereby stalling progress and, conversely, blindly moving towards progress without adequate understanding of consequences. Both stances are limiting and counter-productive. Instead of emotional posturing and high-decibel fights, we need reasoned and informed argument about the benefits and dangers of genetically modified foods.
We also need transparency from the agencies concerned — the corporates, the scientific community, the environmentalists and the government. The advances of science are taking us further than ever before.
Since these changes are exciting and frightening we need to know how they work. Genetically modified vegetables are being consumed across the world. What makes bt brinjal so scary? We need clarity on it since it involves safety issues.