Genetically Modified Organism [GMO]
Introduction:
Introduction:
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals.
Genetically modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.
The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1982, using an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant.
Worldwide Use of Crops:
USA has the largest planted area for
the GM crops followed by Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada. The share of the
rest of the world is quite less. But the other developing countries are also
trying to adopt it. India has 5-6% of its agricultural area reserved of
plantation of GM crops.
Advantages:
GM crops grown today, or under experimental development, have been modified with traits intended to provide benefit to farmers, consumers, or industry. These traits include-
·
improved
shelf life,
·
disease resistance,
·
stress resistance,
·
herbicide
resistance,
·
pest resistance,
·
production
of useful goods such as biofuel or drugs,
·
ability
to absorb toxins, for use in bioremediation of pollution.
Disadvantages:1. Harm to other organisms. For example genes and their effect included in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects (monarch butterfly poisoned by GMO corns).
Disadvantages:1. Harm to other organisms. For example genes and their effect included in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects (monarch butterfly poisoned by GMO corns).
2. Critics say
GMOs may cause health problems.
3. Possible
damages to the environment.
4. Additional
costs of labeling.
GM Crops in India:
The GM crops are mainly grown in the
areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Gujarat and Karnataka.
Bt(Bacillus thuringensis toxin) brinjal and cotton with few other crops were
introduced in India. Bt cotton was very successful attempt as it increased the
yield of cotton resulting in making india cotton exporting country instead of
cotton exporting one. Bt cotton increased yields, profits, and living standards
of smallholder farmers. The insects now had developed resistance against Bt
cotton and thus decreasing the yield. Therefore, recently farmers’ suicide were
attached with it.
On 1 January 2013, a new law came into effect that required all packaged foods containing any genetically modified organisms to be labeled to differentiate it with non-GM foods. This created outburst with reason that even USA doesn’t allow labelling as both(GM and non-GM foods) are healthy foods and labelling will increase the cost.
Recently, the final report by technical expert committee (TEC) put the indefinite stoppage on all open field trials of GM crops and conditioned special risk protocols.
The use of GM crops in india had been
widely the topic of debate. Lets understand the pros and cons of it as
determined by scientific experts.-
Those who support say following-
·
Earlier
this month, India’s Parliament passed a bill aimed at delivering subsidized
food to around 800 million people which means the production will increase and
GM Increment in production will lead to more income of farmers and farmers
suicides can be controlled and they can save their revenues.
·
The
increase in production will lead to less farmers suicide and they will be able
to pay their debts.
·
The
health benefits for the poor farmers have also been increased especially the
malnutrition can be removed.
·
Millions
of people and cattles all over the globe are eating Bt corn for over 30 years
thus health and environment problems nowhere exist.
·
It
had not shown the sustainable results in last 30 years as it had promised.
·
The
cost of the GM seeds is growing rapidly.
·
GM
products attract because of its intellectual property patents but the
agriculture is about growing food.
·
The
‘organic farming’ is the alternate and the best way which can be used for
agriculture. It even doesn’t require the insecticides. The EU also doesn’t use
the GM crops but still have the production nearly equal to that of USA.
·
There
have been increasing risks of environment and health because of GM crops.
Learn From China:Over this conflict, there are few
things which we need to learn from our neighbor.
1.
China
has almost 6000 PhDs in agriculture biotech alone while india has 8900 PhDs in
all sciences put together. Thus the educational system must inspire students
for further research works.
2.
In
india, MNCs ultimately decide the style of agriculture. Thus the scientific
power of the country mostly remains unnoticed. China gives their scientist a
chance and freedom and if they do not deliver, china haul them up. This s how
it goes with both, MNCs and country’s scientists.
What To Do?
We need all available agricultural
technologies, including biotechnology, to meet the current and projected global
demand for food, feed, fibre, and biofuels. Plant breeding and genetic
modification should help.
The various concerns can be overcome if concerted efforts are made by government, public institutions, scientific community, private players and NGOs. We have built quite a rigorous regulatory regime. Field trials should not stop.
India cannot afford to go back at this stage after putting so much time, effort, energy and resources to build the requisite infrastructure and capacity.
A new centre for agriculture biotechnology was announced even in the last Budget, adding to the enormous public sector infrastructure at the Centre and the States. The stage is set for a robust biotechnology regime. Shunning it is surely not the best option.
We need to shed prejudice regarding Bt crops as somebody also said-
“GM
crops don’t kill kids. Opposing them does.”
Sources:
1.
articles
of the hindu newspaper dated August 12, sept 2, sept 7…
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