‘Government violating laws to promote GM crops’

He said,“This illegal pressure is now visible in the provisions of the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (BRAI) Bill,which in its present form not only contains unconstitutional provisions but is also a total sell out to the interests of selected bio-technology MNCs.”

Starting the dialogue,social activist Hemant Goswami said,“Before taking their final decision on GMO crops,the government must answer: Are we ready to allow some profit-seeking MNCs to control and monopolise our food chain,seed supply and crop related patents? Is the government working for the welfare of Indian citizens or just for the profit maximisation of MNCs at the cost of the health and future of Indian citizens?”

Also participating in the dialogue,Dr G P I Singh,Director Principal,Adesh Institute for Medical Science and Research,shattered myths related to GMO crops. The first myth,Dr Singh,said “was that the process of manufacturing GMO is certain and safe. The fact is there is no certainty and very low predictability of the whole GMO manufacturing process,in which a gene from a fish or bacteria is introduced in a potato or cotton”.

Dr Singh further highlighted that the myth that production increases due to introduction of GMO crops does not stand scientific investigation and factual data. He said the claim that with introduction of the GMO crops,use of pesticide would decrease,was also incorrect. Also,most countries in the world were against the immediate introduction of GMO crops.

Umendra Dutt from the Kheti Virasat Mission coordinated the dialogue and thanked Dr Bhargava for his valuable participation.