Nine Reasons to Say NO to GM Seeds

1. GM seeds have many harmful effects on health.
2. "Internationally about 30 tests are prescribed before a country can allow GM seeds. However, India has done only 6-7 tests.
3. The so called “Expert Committee (EC2)” set up by the GEAC to conduct tests on BT Brinjal has lost its credibility.
4. There is no shortage or immediate threat to Brinjal production in India.
5. Thousands of cattle died in Andhra Pradesh by consuming BT Cotton and caused severe allergies and other illnesses to farm workers . Andra Pradesh government has banned Genetically Modified seeds in the state.
6. India is the center of Origin / Diversity of Brinjal.
7. Most other countries and several states in India have banned GM due to its health hazards.
8. Monopoly of a foreign corporate on the food security of India is dangerous.
9. Damage to the soil and the entire ecosystem.

What is a Genetically Modified Seed?

Typically, genetically modified foods involve a transgenic process. Which means Transgenesis genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. These species could be a certain virus or bacteria, which is inserted in the gene structure of the seed, whereby, when a certain pest consumes the seed, the insect will die from the toxins in this seed. Often along with genetic modification, certain hormones are also introduced into the seed to change the color or increase the size of the crop.