Talk on Science & Politics of Genetic Engineering.

[Guest guest]

Living Farms,

1181/2146, Ratnakar Bag – 2,

Tankapani Road

Bhubaneswar – 751018

 

DT: 26.08.08

 

PRESS RELEASE

Talk by Dr Michael Hansen, Senior Staff Scientist, Consumers Union, USA on

“The Science and Politics of Genetic Engineeringâ€, at IMAGE, Aug 23rd 2008.

 

Bhubaneswar: Dr Michael Hansen Senior Scientist Consumers Union, USA, delivered

a talk on “The Science and Politics of Genetic Engineering†at IMAGE

Conference Hall on the 23rd of August. Hosted by Living Farms, Bhubaneswar, this

discussion session was attended by GVV Sharma, Revenue Secretary, Prof

Radhamohan, former State Information Commissioner, Director Biotechnology,

Government of Orissa, Vice Chancellor OUAT, Director OUAT and other eminent

scientists from OUAT, CRRI, CTCRI, CIFA, doctors from Institute of Life

Sciences, Regional Medical Research Centre, Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jana

Swasthya Abhiyan, Professors from the Utkal University, eminent social workers,

media persons and activists. The session was chaired by Dr Dhanada Mishra,

Chairman, Human Development Foundation.

 

Dr Michael Hansen in his talk pointed out the imprecise nature of Genetic

Engineering. There is no way to ensure the intended effect and the process is

highly unpredictable, he said. He cited various scientific studies to point out

the adverse effects this technology was having on agriculture as well as health

of farmers and consumers world wide. He busted the myth of high yield and low

pesticide use being associated with the Genetically Modified (GM) crops by

showing statistics that showed such effects were temporary and GM crops fared

much worse than their traditional counterparts in the long run.

 

He also criticized the proponents of GM crops for trying to project GM crops as

the solution to the food crisis that loomed ahead. GM technology was yet to

fathom all the conditions behind increased yield and therefore such statements

were mischievous he stated.  The companies advocating GM crops were the ones

that once said DDT was safe for humans. Thus it will be fallacious to assume

that these industries are doling out correct information..

 

The solution to the present crisis is not a new and untested technology but

exploring other safe and sure methods that exist but are ignored because they

cannot be exploited for profit by the industry. He exposed the industry science

nexus by quoting from correspondence between the companies advocating GM crops

and the scientists and institutions that supported their views..

 

The effect of GM foods on the health of consumers has never been seriously

studied, he said. He cited medical studies which pointed out that the foreign

proteins created by the inserted Bt gene over stimulate the immune system and

cause allergenicity. Studies on rats and mice have revealed serious health

disorders that have never been seriously followed up. In India cultivation of Bt

Cotton, a genetically modified crop has been allowed in a few States. This is

not a food crop and yet those handling it have come down with severe allergies.

The crop by products eaten by cattle and other animals has affected them

severely. What would happen when genetically modified food crops are introduced

is a question all Indians should seriously ponder upon, he suggested.

 

Genetic Engineering is reductionist in approach that fails to study the local

ecology and evolve holistic solutions, Dr Hansen revealed.

 

Dr D P Ray, Vice Chancellor, OUAT, said that his institution was indeed

concentrating upon alternating methods than jumping into the GM bandwagon. He

said industry sponsored studies should not be taken at their face value. Higher

yields can be possible by ensuring the fertility of the soil, choosing

appropriate crops, lessening chemical inputs and using such methods as Marker

Assisted Selection (MAS) that did not require the physical insertion of foreign

genes. Orissa is a State with a rich biodiversity. It would not be wise to let

Genetically Modified crops contaminate this, he emphasised.

 

The Dean, Agriculture, OUAT, was of the opinion that GM technology was a risk

that should be best avoided. The first generation crops were already proving to

have serious adverse effects. When the second and third generation crops would

be introduced the effect would be disastrous, he said.

 

Prof Radhamohan was of the opinion that Genetically Modified crops should be

rejected per se, a view that found favour with a large section of the audience

who were shocked at the revelations. They agreed with Dr Michael Hansen that

agriculture and food production is too important to be left to profit seeking

industries. “We need to have a knowledge based approach and not brute force

that seeks to change nature with an untested and imprecise technology that was

already showing its seamy side.â€

 

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks and an appeal to the policy makers to

review their stand on Genetically Modified crops. The need of the hour was

ecology friendly sustainable agriculture that produced safe and nourishing food

using nature as a friend and not going against its rules that have been shaped

by centuries of careful adaptation, opined Dr Dhanada Mishra who chaired the

session.

 

 

 

Debjeet Sarangi & Jagannath Chatterjee

Living Farms, Bhubaneswar.

 

 

" It is now 30 years since I have been confining myself to the treatment

ofchronic diseases. During those 30 years I have run against so many histories

of littlechildren who had never seen a sick day until they were vaccinated and

who, in the severalyears that have followed, have never seen a well day since. I

couldn't put my finger onthe disease they have. They just weren't strong. Their

resistance was gone. They wereperfectly well before they were vaccinated. They

have never been well since. " ---Dr. William Howard Hay

 

 

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