In the quest for GM crops, don’t endanger health
If the Centre decides to commercialise modified food, it has to consult all stakeholders — from scientists to farmers
DMH 11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid) is the Genetically Modified (GM) version of Mustard that was recently given a nod for commercial cultivation in India by the apex transgenic products regulatory body of the government. DMH 11 is produced by an Indian government institution and said to be commercialised by an Indian company; thus addressing the concerns of farmers of a corporate capture of agriculture. The variety has two main functions that could be attributed to its genetic modification. The first is it makes hybridisation for mustard easier, since mustard is a self-pollinated plant and it is not easy to produce hybrids for mustard. Second, it has a gene that provides the plant with herbicide tolerance.
There are several concerns about what it would mean to approve the first genetically modified food crop in India. Till now, Bt cotton, a non-food crop, has been the only GM crop cultivated in India. Similar attempts were made in 2009 to commercially release Bt brinjal, but were stalled by a moratorium in 2010. Scientists have made claims about the increased productivity of GM mustard, but these claims are not fully supported by availa- ble scientific data. On the contrary, civil society organisations have claimed that given the right inputs, some local varieties can produce the same yield with lower farm costs. In the case of GM mustard, just like in the case of Bt cotton (an insecticide tolerant crop), bringing in a herbicide tolerant crop would increase the tendency of farmers to spray chemicals on the crops and jeopardizing their own health as well as that of water bodies, flora and fauna.
Scientists suggest that there should be rules to regulate herbicide spray, which means farmers could be penalised or jailed for excessive spraying of chemicals. A similar attempt has been made for farmers who burn agricultural residues. I met some of these farmers while conducting research, and found that criminalising farmers in this way has a huge negative impact on their dignity and self-esteem rather than changing the practice in any considerable way.
The mandates of the Bt brinjal consultation were to develop institutional structures and capacity to ensure safety to environmental and human health, farmers’ and consumers’ rights and inclusive decision making for GM crops. Not a single attempt has made in this direction after the Bt brinjal consultation. It remains to be seen whether the government decides on the commercialisation of GM mustard on the basis of half-baked scientific facts and expectations or engages all stakeholders in a more inclusive and democratic manner.
Poonam Pandey is postdoctoral fellow, Maastricht University Science Technology and Society Program The views expressed are personal