What are the main issues of concern for human health?

While theoretical discussions have covered a broad range of aspects, the three main issues debated are tendencies to provoke allergic reaction (allergenicity), gene transfer and outcrossing.

Allergenicity. As a matter of principle, the transfer of genes from commonly allergenic foods is discouraged unless it can be demonstrated that the protein product of the transferred gene is not allergenic. While traditionally developed foods are not generally tested for allergenicity, protocols for tests for GM foods have been evaluated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO. No allergic effects have been found relative to GM foods currently on the market.

Gene transfer. Gene transfer from GM foods to cells of the body or to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract would cause concern if the transferred genetic material adversely affects human health. This would be particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance genes, used in creating GMOs, were to be transferred. Although the probability of transfer is low, the use of technology without antibiotic resistance genes has been encouraged by a recent FAO/WHO expert panel.

Outcrossing. The movement of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related species in the wild (referred to as “outcrossing”), as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with those grown using GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security. This risk is real, as was shown when traces of a maize type which was only approved for feed use appeared in maize products for human consumption in the United States of America. Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown.

Feasibility and methods for post-marketing monitoring of GM food products, for the continued surveillance of the safety of GM food products, are under discussion.

Decision on marketing Bt brinjal in a month

AHMEDABAD: Setting at rest the speculations over the commercial approval of Bt brinjal, Jairam Ramesh minister of state for environment and Forest (MoEF)

said a final decision on the approval of Bt brinjal was yet to be taken. He said the doubts and concerns raised over the issue would not be neglected.

"After consultations with the stakeholders and other government agencies, the final word will come after February 20 after submitting the report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," he said.

Ramesh had visited the city on Tuesday to be a part of regional public consultations in association with Centre for Environment Education (CEE) across the country. He said, "Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has given its recommendation for commercialisation but the final decision over the issue is yet to be taken. We assure people of independent and transparent decision over Bt brinjal, it is not going to be taken in a closed room."

Ramadoss seeks 10-year green freeze on GM crops

Chennai: Opposing any commercial release of Bt Brinjal, former Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has asked the government to put a 10-year moratorium on the environmental release of all GM crops until pending issues were resolved and questions answered.

In the letter dated October 19, Ramadoss has highlighted the reasons for opposing commercial release of Bt brinjal, which he says was created with “the toxic Bt gene”.

Ramadoss said Bt Brinjal could ‘jeopardize the rich diversity of brinjal’ as India is the centre of origin of brinjal.

He said no independent long-term studies have been undertaken and the studies suggested by noted molecular biologist P M Bhargava and a nominee of the Supreme Court in the GEAC, were not done on Bt Brinjal.

He also said that in the absence of proper regulatory process in the country, commercial release of Bt Brinjal could violate consumers' right to safe food and informed choices. Moreover, the decision itself is an infringement of the state government's authority over agriculture.

Anbumani Ramadoss, belongs to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which has declared itself to be a green party that promotes organic agriculture and opposes genetically modified crops through its environmental outfit ‘Pasumai Thayagam’ (Green Motherland).

In the letter Ramadoss has pointed out that there are more than 2,500 varieties of brinjal in this country, which could be jeopardized irreversibly with the entry of bt brinjal.

He has said that the regulatory system in India did not require independent research to be taken up before a GM food is allowed and all the research with regard to biodiversity of bt Brinaj was either done or commissioned by the crop developer. “No long-term studies have been undertaken either,” Ramadoss added.

Ramadoss contended that GM was not any solution to the agrarian crisis, instead it would make things worse for farmers and consumers who are entrapped into these unsustainable technologies which are expensive, erode productive resources, leave toxic impacts on man and other life forms and make farming unviable.

The approval would violate consumers' freedom of choices forever. Stating that agriculture and health were state subjects, the former health minister said, government should not be taking any step that violates the Constitutional authority vested with state governments.