We need informed opinions on genetically modified foods

Six of India’s most prominent science academies have been put to the test and from all accounts, they have not covered themselves with glory.

Instead of coming out with informed and advanced opinions on whether genetically modified brinjal should be introduced into India, all the academies came out with almost identical versions of the same opinion — a recommendation for limited release.

Given the controversy which has erupted over Bt brinjal, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh and Planning Commission member K Kasturirangan had asked the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Academy of Engineering and others to submit a report on genetically modified foods.

To make matters worse, there were allegations that the reports had been plagiarised from a particular paper which had definite political overtones. There is a commercial and political twist to genetically modified foods and after various objections, the government was forced to look for a consensus. Ramesh has rejected all reports since they were identical and did not provide a larger scientific view but instead depended on the ideas of one scientist.

Since the issue of introducing genetically modified foods into the country is not just controversy-ridden but also important, this supposed cavalier attitude by these top scientists is surprising.

Sadly, intellectual discourse is rarely given much importance and yet, when someone asks for an opinion, our academics seem unwilling or unable to rise to the challenge.

Science is certainly at the forefront of human progress and if India is to take that much coveted place at the vanguard of nations, we need to be on the cutting edge with our ideas and opinions. Instead we seem to be taking the easy way out — or atleast it appears to be that way in this Bt brinjal issue.

What we require now is application of mind and due diligence from our scientists. Informed opinion and diversity of thought can only help to make the right decision and this is the minimum expectation, not just from the minister but from the country. Our health and the future of our farmers is at stake.