How not to feed the world
Where Monsanto is concerned, it isn’t a good idea to assume good intentions – just ask Percy and Louise Schmeiser in Canada, who spent years locked in legal battles.
The Genetic Engeneering Approval Committee (GEAC) in India should probably have thought about this a bit before approving Bt Brinjal last week – a type of eggplant that produces a pesticide (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is normally sprayed on fields. To say the least, the approval process was botched up:
- The data regarding the effects on human health - received directly from Monsanto’s Indian branch - was insufficiently tested. Three scientists in the GEAC voted against the approval for Bt Brinjal precisely for this reason.
- The only other study on Bt Brinjal (the only one not produced by the company trying to get approval) showed concerns for potential negative effects on human health.
- Civil society and farmers have been increasingly vocal against the lack of transparency of the entire process and pointing out the risks.
The Indian environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, is facing a tough decision. There is clear evidence that the approval process by the GEAC was shoddy at best. Yet, powerful lobbies are trying to obtain approval anyway.
Eggplant is a key vegetable in India. Approval of a GE version would be symbolic and would open the doors for Monsanto and its Indian arm, Mahyco to obtain approval for more GE products.
Monsanto likes to pretend that GE products will protect the world from hunger and solve famine; others, like the Royal Society, seem to fall into the hype, thinking this will solve the food crisis by making it cheaper for farmers to get higher yields. I’m still waiting for someone to announce they will make Christmas happen three times a year (any day now).
The truth is, farmers don’t benefit from GE crops – they often end locked in a vicious circle where they can buy overpriced seeds from one company only. Patents bring up costs for farmers. Property rights prevent farmers from keeping seeds one year to the next, and ensuring food safety for entire nations.
It’s time to stand up for your food. As much as Monsanto likes people to believe this kind of decision should be made in small offices, we need to remember we are all stakeholders in our right to food. Greenpeace India has already collected over 40,000 signatures to ask Jairam Ramesh to do the right thing and reject Bt Brijal. Over 180,000 demanded GE-free rice. Now it’s your turn.
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Comments
thanks
Posted by: pradeep singh | December 7, 2009 2:23 PM