GMO - Entry into India and Consequences

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 13 Jan 2010 01:15

MONSANTO CHANGES HORSES AS GM SEED BIZ GOES LAME

"The moral to the current Monsanto story is clear. GM wheat is the least of Monsanto's problems. Talking about wheat, however, deflects public scrutiny of the most pressing problem--the need to bribe farmers to continue to purchase current GM seeds in an increasingly skeptical marketplace."

http://ngin.tripod.com/130802d.htm

Comments: I appreciate and support US companies coming into India and do business. Even in the case of Monanto what we need to ask for transparency and information about their seeds to the public. They should not come around through improper channels. Labelling the seed and food in their display and highlighting any problems if they cause (ofcourse one may aruge - noone will buy them). If the seeds had no probs say there was no probs and if they had some issues say there was some issue with these seeds or GM food as not all GM food are bad. But either be genuine and transparent or nothing.

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 13 Jan 2010 22:11

Genetically modified Monsanto Corn damages liver and kidneys of rats
http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 14 Jan 2010 12:28

A study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences asserts three tested varieties of Monsanto's genetically modified corn can cause organ failure, calling for further research.

New research finds some GM corn can cause organ failure
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/285594

check this out first before GM is endorsed without restrictions and public awareness in India!!!!

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 15 Jan 2010 03:54

New Delhi — An angry and agitated India's Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh threatened to throw out an agitator after a number of organizations protested during a public consultation meeting over the introduction of the controversial commercial cultivation of genetically modified brinjal (eggplant or aubergine) in the country, media reports said Thursday..

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show ... ebate.html

A massive public campaign against the introduction of genetically modified Bt brinjal in Indian farming is scheduled to take place at 10.30 am on Saturday 23 January 2010 in Bangalore, South India.The Public Consultation to be held by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests (i/c) is endorsed by many including journalists, Greenpeace activists, South Indian co ordination committee for farmers’ movements, environmentalists and consumer protection centers.

http://www.medindia.net/news/Geneticall ... 3558-1.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 17 Jan 2010 23:29

ndia: Bhargava slams move to adopt GM crops

Even as Environment minister Jairam Ramesh is scheduled to begin consultations on the safety and feasibility of approving genetically modified (GM) brinjal, or Bt brinjal, on January 13, Dr P M Bhargava, top scientist, has cautioned against its adoption. If India adopts genetically engineered food crops, there are chances that the country will lose out on the potential export market worth Rs 100,000 crore for its fruits and vegetables, according to Bhargava.

http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=56708

Comment: Why can't Indian Government listen to our own scientists? Is this the plan of the Indian Minister Jairam to bring down Indian market internationally?

“The widespread aversion to GM food products also cannot be ignored. A majority in the U.S., the European Union and Japan among others are against it. Even Zambia and Nigeria have stood up against GM food products. If India still approves Bt. Brinjal, that will be the single, greatest tragedy in the history of independent India,” Dr. Bhargava said.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/03/stories ... 911800.htm

#

Environmental hazards

# Unintended harm to other organisms Last year a laboratory study was published in Nature21 showing that pollen from B.t. corn caused high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants, not corn, but the fear is that if pollen from B.t. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighboring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish. Although the Nature study was not conducted under natural field conditions, the results seemed to support this viewpoint. Unfortunately, B.t. toxins kill many species of insect larvae indiscriminately; it is not possible to design a B.t. toxin that would only kill crop-damaging pests and remain harmless to all other insects. This study is being reexamined by the USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other non-government research groups, and preliminary data from new studies suggests that the original study may have been flawed22, 23. This topic is the subject of acrimonious debate, and both sides of the argument are defending their data vigorously. Currently, there is no agreement about the results of these studies, and the potential risk of harm to non-target organisms will need to be evaluated further.

# Reduced effectiveness of pesticides Just as some populations of mosquitoes developed resistance to the now-banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to B.t. or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides.

# Gene transfer to non-target species Another concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds. These "superweeds" would then be herbicide tolerant as well. Other introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops. The possibility of interbreeding is shown by the defense of farmers against lawsuits filed by Monsanto. The company has filed patent infringement lawsuits against farmers who may have harvested GM crops. Monsanto claims that the farmers obtained Monsanto-licensed GM seeds from an unknown source and did not pay royalties to Monsanto. The farmers claim that their unmodified crops were cross-pollinated from someone else's GM crops planted a field or two away. More investigation is needed to resolve this issue.

There are several possible solutions to the three problems mentioned above. Genes are exchanged between plants via pollen. Two ways to ensure that non-target species will not receive introduced genes from GM plants are to create GM plants that are male sterile (do not produce pollen) or to modify the GM plant so that the pollen does not contain the introduced gene24, 25, 26. Cross-pollination would not occur, and if harmless insects such as monarch caterpillars were to eat pollen from GM plants, the caterpillars would survive.

Another possible solution is to create buffer zones around fields of GM crops27, 28, 29. For example, non-GM corn would be planted to surround a field of B.t. GM corn, and the non-GM corn would not be harvested. Beneficial or harmless insects would have a refuge in the non-GM corn, and insect pests could be allowed to destroy the non-GM corn and would not develop resistance to B.t. pesticides. Gene transfer to weeds and other crops would not occur because the wind-blown pollen would not travel beyond the buffer zone. Estimates of the necessary width of buffer zones range from 6 meters to 30 meters or more30. This planting method may not be feasible if too much acreage is required for the buffer zones.

Human health risks

# Allergenicity Many children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions31. Extensive testing of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Labeling of GM foods and food products will acquire new importance, which I shall discuss later.

# Unknown effects on human health There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health. A recent article published in Lancet examined the effects of GM potatoes on the digestive tract in rats32, 33. This study claimed that there were appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GM potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. Yet critics say that this paper, like the monarch butterfly data, is flawed and does not hold up to scientific scrutiny34. Moreover, the gene introduced into the potatoes was a snowdrop flower lectin, a substance known to be toxic to mammals. The scientists who created this variety of potato chose to use the lectin gene simply to test the methodology, and these potatoes were never intended for human or animal consumption.

On the whole, with the exception of possible allergenicity, scientists believe that GM foods do not present a risk to human health.

Economic concerns

Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. It is hoped that in a humanitarian gesture, more companies and non-profits will follow the lead of the Rockefeller Foundation and offer their products at reduced cost to impoverished nations.

Patent enforcement may also be difficult, as the contention of the farmers that they involuntarily grew Monsanto-engineered strains when their crops were cross-pollinated shows. One way to combat possible patent infringement is to introduce a "suicide gene" into GM plants. These plants would be viable for only one growing season and would produce sterile seeds that do not germinate. Farmers would need to buy a fresh supply of seeds each year. However, this would be financially disastrous for farmers in third world countries who cannot afford to buy seed each year and traditionally set aside a portion of their harvest to plant in the next growing season. In an open letter to the public, Monsanto has pledged to abandon all research using this suicide gene technology35.

24 New tools for chloroplast genetic engineering (Nature Biotechnology, Vol 17, No 9, pp 855-856, Sep
1999)
25 Tandem constructs: preventing the rise of superweeds (Trends in Biotechnology, Vol 17, No 9, pp 361-
366, Sep 1999)
26 Containment of herbicide resistance through genetic engineering of the chloroplast genome (Nature Biotechnology,
Vol 16, No 4, pp 345-348, Apr 1998)
27 Efforts to bioengineer intrinsic resistance to insect pests into crop plants have made use of a natural bacterial
toxin, Bt, from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Science, Vol 284, No 5416, p 873, May 1999)
28 Inheritance of Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin (Dipel ES) in the European Corn Borer (Science,
Vol 284, No 5416, pp 965-967, May 1999)
29 Buffers urged around Bt corn fields (Environmental News Network http://www.enn.com/enn-newsarchive/
1999/07/071499/btbuffer_4342.asp)

30 GM crops: public perception and scientific solutions (Trends in Plant Science, Vol 4, No 12, pp 467-469,
Dec 1999)
31 Identification of a Brazil-nut allergen in transgenic soybeans (New England Journal of Medicine, Vol
334, No 11, pp 688-692, 1996)
32 Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small
intestine (Lancet, Vol 354, No 9187, pp 1353-1354, Oct 1999)
33 Safety of genetically modified food questioned: Interview with gene scientist, Dr Arpad Pusztai(
http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/jun1999/gmo-j03.shtml )
34 The Lancet scolded over Pusztai paper (Science, Vol 286, p 656, Oct 1999)

Discovery Guides
1
Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?
http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/disc ... s-main.php

Deborah B. Whitman

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 18 Jan 2010 13:36

'Govt clearing Bt brinjal on manipulated data'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 464049.cms

Orissa says no to Bt Brinjal
BS Reporter / Bhubaneswar January 18, 2010, 0:36 IST
http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... al/382956/

Bt Brinjals - A fraud on Indian origin Vegetable
http://truthdive.com/2010/01/16/genetic ... t-brinjal/

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 18 Jan 2010 21:06

Indicating that introduction of Bt Brinjal in India [ Images ] could be avoided, Anand Agriculture University (AAU) vice chancellor Dr M C Varshaney on Monday said that there were other ways to increase yield and control the pests in brinjal.

http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/ ... rinjal.htm

Another Indian scientist to question GM food!

Will not sow Bt brinjal, Bengal, Bihar tell Centre
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_wi ... re_1334943

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 19 Jan 2010 03:00

Genetic engineering okay, but safety first: Jairam Ramesh

More at : Genetic engineering okay, but safety first: Jairam Ramesh http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/env ... z0d0EGunEP

Interestingly Minister Jairam himself seems not knowing the problem in the first instance I mean before starting to promote it across India!!!!!!!!!!

‘Edibility of Bt brinjal not yet confirmed’
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news ... ed/568849/

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 19 Jan 2010 13:19

Panel against Bt Brinjal in Andhra Pradesh
http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/ ... -in-ap.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 19 Jan 2010 19:55

While International scientists and Indian scientists say there is some problems and issues,

Indian government body says -

Bt Brinjal safe for humans, says science ministry

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article82528.ece

If one reads the article no evidence is suggested and no tests are conducted but something else is going on here!!!!

MSSRF turns a blind eye to GM plants’ dangers

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/stor ... OZ5Y=&SEO=

Genetic Engineering: Instrument of Western Agribusiness to Control India’s Food and Farming System

Saturday 26 December 2009, by Bharat Dogra

If Indian Government does not believe her own scientists at least read those British and other scientists' comments on Brinjal BT.

Dr Jack A. Heinemann, of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, has a decade-long experience of reviewing safety information from companies on their genetically engineered crops. He writes (Economic and Political Weekly, October 3, 2009):

These studies have been of questionable quality and without proper independent oversight. Regulators have few options but to either bow to company pressure and hope in faith that the companies’ products are safe or to require move information to establish safety, as the precautionary principle empowers truly careful regulators to do.

Government regulators can be hindered by the poor quality of data provided by the companies that make genetically engineered crops. In my opinion, the quality of safety studies on two different genetically engineered plants produced by companies for India have been among the lowest I have seen anywhere and at any time in my life as a scientist.

On climbs of yield increase of genetically engineered Bt varieties, Jack A. Heinemann writes:

The “Bt” trait does not increase yield, it just is becoming nearly impossible to source the best varieties without the Bt transgenes.

Why is this so? Dr Heinemann answers:

The yield benefit (in Bt cotton) comes from the use of high yielding hybrids that are only available as GM varieties because genetic engineering companies like Mansanto control a large proportion of the seed supply and only offer them as GM cotton varieties.

Jack A. Heinemann asks:

Where is the data that these same high yield varieties lacking the Bt trait and grown using sustainable techniques such as integrated pest management and agroecology perform less than GM varieties?

He answers:

There is none at all to my knowledge, while there is evidence that GM varieties undermine sustainable agriculture.

On the experience of the USA Dr Heinemann writes: The yields of Bt cotton in the US, for example, have not been consistently or sustainably higher than cotton produced using high yield varieties that were not genetically engineered, and GM varieties have contributed to financial losses for farmers. The high costs of genetically engineered seeds put farmers at financial risk.

Heinemann concludes:

Does India want to export control of its food? Then go with genetic engineering. If India wants to feed itself, then go with proven but so far neglected approaches that work, such as agro ecology.

A Friends of the Earth report (year 2008) titled ‘Who Benefits From GM Crops?’ concludes, on the basis of studying the yield figures of crops like cotton, soy and corn in the US starting from the 1930s, that genetic engineering has been at best neutral with respect to yield. At the macro level, the report says, average cotton yields have stagnated since the adoption of Bt cotton in the US, as in other countries like Argentina, Australia and Colombia.

Kavitha Kuruganti points out in a paper, ‘Bt Cotton and the Myth of Enhanced Yield’, (EPW, May 30)

The 2008 yields of US soybean (at 40 bushels per acre, as per National Agricultural Statistics Service of the USDA) with 90 per cent of such soybean being genetically modified, are lower than the 1994 yields of 41.4 bushels (before GM soybean was introduced).

It is important to note is that the 1996-2000 period saw a sharp decline in yield growths in cotton—that is the period when GM cotton increased to 61 per cent of total cotton cultivation in the US.

A University of Nebraska study found that Roundup Ready (RR) soya varieties (Roundup Ready is the brand of Monsanto’s GM trait) yielded five per cent less than their closest conventional relatives and 10 per cent less than high-yielding conventional lines. This implies a loss in a production of nearly 200 kg/ha.

A study by Barney Gordon (2007) titled Manganese Nutrition of Glyphosate—Resistant and Conventional Soybeans (published in Better Crops, Vol. 91-4), found in the context of Roundup Ready (GM) soya varieties that glyphosate applied to the GM crop was inhibiting the uptake of nutrients like manganese essential to plant health and performance.

http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article1837.html

SC asks Govt to clarify on GM crops' protocol
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news ... ol/569268/

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 20 Jan 2010 00:03

Film Personalities, Writers, Artistes Say no to Bt Brinjal
http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?673145

Economics needs intellectual honesty
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/201 ... 310600.htm

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 20 Jan 2010 02:56

Bt Brinjal a step towards disaster

http://business.rediff.com/column/2009/ ... saster.htm

This momentous decision potentially opens the door to other GM food crops, including rice, maize, soyabean and sorghum (jowar, or the Great Millet) besides directly introducing a genetically engineered vegetable into India's food chain. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh [ Images ] -- who publicly opposed GM foods only months ago -- says he'll will study the GEAC's report in depth before taking a final decision.

Mr Ramesh would do well to look into the charge by the biologist, Professor P M Bhargava -- the GEAC's only independent expert, appointed by the Supreme Court -- that a majority of the necessary biosafety tests were skipped before the clearance was given. That's itself a strong reason for refusing to approve Bt brinjal.

The transgenic brinjal was developed by Mahyco (Maharashtra [ Images ] Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with the US-based transnational, Monsanto. It involves the insertion of a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into the DNA or genetic code of the vegetable to produce pesticidal toxins in every cell.

Worse, there's strong evidence that GM crops affect human beings and animals. In Madhya Pradesh [ Images ], agricultural labourers handling Bt cotton complained of allergic reactions like 'mild to severe itching'. 'In severe cases, the eyes also become red, swollen', with excessive tears, nasal discharge, and sneezing.

Allergies, and more, have been reported from other Bt cotton-growing states too. In Andhra Pradesh, studies by the respected NGO, Deccan Development Society, found that Bt cotton cultivators continued to use pesticides on a large scale, which belies the claim that Bt cotton would reduce pesticide use. The crops produced 'hitherto unseen diseases' in soils.

In 2003, nearly 2,500 sheep died after grazing in Bt cotton fields. DDS instituted another sheep study. Two groups were fed two varieties of Bt cotton and the third non-Bt cotton. Sheep from the first two died within six weeks. The non-Bt cotton-fed sheep remained healthy.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 20 Jan 2010 10:47

US Supreme Court to Hear Monsanto Appeal on Genetically Modified Crop
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/inde ... y/id/19589

Genetically modified crops: Key to food security, or false hope?
http://www.greenbang.com/genetically-mo ... ent-page-1

GM Food: Research needed - the Bangladesh
http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/0 ... ws0643.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 21 Jan 2010 03:14

Can GM crops feed the hungry?
http://www.environmental-expert.com/res ... 79471&lr=1

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 21 Jan 2010 13:36

Biotech students sound warning against Bt Brinjal
http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_ ... al_1337247

Even the students understand the need for testing, research, public awareness, labelling, critically engagement with international research institutes in this regard both far and against, then if gm food still survives the test, then fine, if not suspicious then 'no'. Even other countries will stop buying our vegetable which is a billion dollar market if the news of any problems with our vegetables because of GM vegetation and other vegetation. You loose more than you gain.

International market is waiting for some bad news about our vegetables. Indian government is giving into it! just like labour working condition issues!

sumishi · Post by **sumishi** » 21 Jan 2010 21:32

Well, how about this article?
Monsanto's GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure, Study Reveals

If GMOs are being pushed in a frantic hurry in a country where the number of annual parliamentary sittings which discusses important issues is dismal year on year, then money is involved somewhere.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 22 Jan 2010 03:24

New Delhi: Differences have surfaced between Union government ministers over who clears Bt brinjal, India’s first genetically modified food crop.

After food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters on Wednesday that an expert committee, and not the Centre, had the final say over vetting the vegetable, environment minister Jairam Ramesh voiced dissent on Thursday.

http://www.livemint.com/2010/01/2123422 ... -with.html

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 22 Jan 2010 04:31

^^ One would not put this past Pawar. He is corrupt to the core and it is quite possible that he made some moolah

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 22 Jan 2010 04:35

From the article above

States too are apprehensive about introducing Bt brinjal in their fields. The Daily News and Analysis cited Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as saying on Wednesday: “The state is the fifth largest producer of brinjal in the country. We are growing more than 40 varieties of brinjal. We will not allow anything that may put our farmers in a difficult spot.”

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 22 Jan 2010 23:37

In a statement released today, the founder of AmericanFeast.com, a leading food web site, called for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require the labeling of genetically-modified foods so American consumers can make informed choices at the market.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show ... 2898.shtml

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 23 Jan 2010 13:24

In fight over Bt brinjal, Cong backs Jairam
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 490726.cms

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 25 Jan 2010 00:31

Bt brinjal supporters, however, point out to the presence of the bacterial toxin in the crop. They say it will help save it from the fruit and shoot borer pest that destroys substantial chunks of produce and allow farmers to reduce the use of pesticides drastically.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/231271/Bt-b ... elled.html

What safeguards to protect traditional crops from GM crops, SC asks Centre
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 477725.cms

THE food industry has been criticised for being ‘too secretive’ by an influential committee in the House of Lords.

Publishing its report into nanotechnologies and food, the Lords Science and Technology Committee called on the food industry to be more transparent about its research into nanotechnologies.

http://www.farmersguardian.com/news/foo ... 66.article

Comments -
so needed more tests in Indian Climate and in different states in India with animals and people to see whether it affects human body in anyway. Also labelling is very essential. The prices should be kept at par with the local Brinjal. Farmers should not be persuaded to take up this as the only option for subsidiaries and so on. At the end if India produces enormously then we pay patent to the companies for this. Whereas we have at present sufficient Brinjal for our country at present. If there are any problems with the crossfertilisation then no country will buy our vegetables or any other things grown in India for this problems. So we loose 1,00,000 Crore rupees at that time.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 25 Jan 2010 20:12

"Release of Bt Brinjal would be the beginning of the end of Indian agriculture." This voice against genetically-modified food got
louder on Sunday with acclaimed scientist Shiv Chopra, who fought against bovine growth hormone in Canada and got it banned, supported the cause of rejecting "the poisoned food."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 496633.cms

comment: When we have plenty of Brinjal sufficient for India even to export enormous quantity why we do we need bt brinjal to be cultivated because someone invested in TN agricultural university or in other agricultural colleges or some vested interests are promoting it!!!

The production of brinjal in the year 1998-99 was 7.88 MT from an area 0.49 M.ha. The varieties of brinjal popular in the country are Arka Navneet, Pusa Ankur, Hybrid-6, Pusa hybrid-5, ARBH-1, ABH-1, Pusa Purple Long, Pusa Purple Cluster, Ritu Raj etc. West Bengal is the largest producer of brinjal followed by Maharashtra and Bihar. The other main state growing brinjal Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

http://agricoop.nic.in/hort/hortrevo5.htm

The Bt brinjal farming is dangerous. The current brinjal industry in India is estimated above Rs. 8,500 crores (above US$ 1,700 million). Sasidharan Nair describes some of the major hitches of Bt brinjal farming in India in his research study.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-ne ... g-in-india

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 26 Jan 2010 09:07

At present, there are around 2,000 varieties of brinjal and in the State alone, 30 of which are under mass cultivation. Brinjal is not only a vegetable, it is also used for making medicines in Siddha and Ayurveda systems, Dr Sivaraman said. So far 13 States, including West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, have declared that they would not allow GM brinjal.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/stor ... p3kQ=&SEO=

BT Brinjal will bring an end to our Ayurvediv and Siddha and other medical systems in India

K Mehta · Post by **K Mehta** » 27 Jan 2010 00:44

I have been a bit busy in other things, but will post the writeups soon. I hope its ok if i concentrate on GM foods as that is what the topic of discussion has been mostly.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 27 Jan 2010 12:40

A study by French scientist Gilles-Eric Seralini says the tests conducted by Mahyco, the company producing Bt brinjal, were simply not valid and raised serious health concerns.

Besides the environment hazards, activists allege that the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has shown a bias towards companies like the Monsanto.

This would be a big threat to India's agriculture with MNCs charging Indian farmers for their seeds. The supply of seeds will be regulated and thus costlier. Indian farmers would have to depend on MNCs for seeds.

http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2 ... rinjal.htm

Very good neutral and objective study

http://www.csa-india.org/downloads/GE/b ... _paper.pdf

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 29 Jan 2010 04:33

Panjab University sizzles with anger over Bt brinjal

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 511145.cms

AjayKK · Post by **AjayKK** » 30 Jan 2010 13:57

joshvajohn wrote:Panjab University sizzles with anger over Bt brinjal

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 511145.cms

From above,

Umender Dutt of Kheti Virasat Mission said, “Introduction of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds in general and in food items like Bt Brinjal, in particular, should be opposed by the government. We should take this as an attack on our biodiversity and refute recommendations of GEAC and the entire lobby of Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.”

Addressing the gathering, Prof Manjit Singh, president of Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) said, “Entry of Bt Brinjal will poison our food and the environment, besides making our future generations vulnerable to diseases.”
“When India already has more than 2,000 varieties of brinjals, which can be improved by hybridization and natural selection, what is the need of this introduction,” asked Sardara Singh Cheema of Chetna Manch.

However, our "respectable" university PAU , always the front for GM has a different opinion. Some gems

Punjab scientists favour Bt Brinjal

Additional Director, Research, Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana S S Gosal said 8 Bt crops were grown in the US and 6 more got approval.

Now, the famed " 8 " in the US are tomatoes, potatoes - both taken back, corn, soy, cotton, rapeseed, beet and rice. How these famed " 8 " in the US provide for safety of Bt Brinjal in India is beyond the comprehension of a non Chankyan mind.

The scientists from Punjab answering the queries of farmers regarding the rising incidents of cancer in Bathinda belt (the cotton belt (cancer belt) of Punjab) said that if a farmer used pesticides under the guidance of agriculture scientists it would not cause health hazards.

The above is a stupid assertion even if made by "scientists". Use of chemical pesticides makes the pest resistant. Hence more of the same is to be used. At one point, the pesticide used seeps into the groundwater and pollutes it causing an increase in cancer and such ailments.

And our "high yield GM" is not free from use of pesticides either.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 31 Jan 2010 03:08

Bt Brinjal violates our right to safe food, say youngsters
http://www.littleabout.com/news/63847,b ... sters.html

Neela · Post by **Neela** » 31 Jan 2010 14:13

Jairam faces public fury over Bt Brinjal in Hyderabad

Video included

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 31 Jan 2010 19:36

"Most chief ministers want us to go slowly. They don't want us to take a hasty decision and they want us to conduct more studies, more tests. Rightly so, perhaps they feel that Bt brinjal is something that we eat everyday while Bt cotton is an industrial commodity," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 520890.cms

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 01 Feb 2010 00:00

^^^ So the clock is ticking. Will they listen to the people of India or will they listen to the money bags?

I propose a the following human trial to assure the population that Bt. is save as the govt. is proposing

Test Design

Time Frame: 36 months
Sample: 50 MP members of congress party and their immediate families. Necessary inclusions are Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi (and her two kids to give age sampling), Manmohan Singh (and spouse and kids and grandkids), Sharad Pawar (and daughter), Jairam Ramesh (and family) and others selected.
Baseline: 10,000 average desis not consuming Bt Brinjal

Actual Test: The sample has to eat atleast 100 grams of Bt Brinjal daily for 36 mths (under observation). They should be observed for 3 hours after let they regurgitate what they eat.

After 36 months the sample can be checked for strange mutations & diseases against the baseline population. Then the country can decide if we want Bt Brinjal.
We can add more indivs to sample such as MS Swaminathan and other bureaucrats who are big fans of BT

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 01 Feb 2010 02:33

* Sri Ravishankar against Bt Brinjal
http://www.ptinews.com/news/494049_Sri- ... Bt-Brinjal

Though Sri Sri is not a scientist, he can think, he can reflect and he can critique and he cares for human beings. Some of our scientists just get some financial support for their research and then speak in favour of these things. People are only calling for more tests and more transparency in this research and labelling and awarenss.

AjayKK · Post by **AjayKK** » 01 Feb 2010 14:50

Final decision on BT Brinjal will be taken by the 10th - Jairam Ramesh
Excerpts.

Environment and Forests Minister, Jairam Ramesh has said that a final decision on introduction of BT Brinjal for commercial cultivation will be taken by the 10th of this month.The Minister said, the final decision will be taken after taking into consideration all shades of opinion.

Addressing a public hearing held at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture in Hyderabad on Sunday, he said the debate over the BT Brinjal has been highly polarised.

Mr Ramesh said, those who were favouring BT Brinjal are accused of being agents of Multi National Companies and those who were opposing were alleged to be anti-technologists.

He appealed to all sections to express their opinions in a democratic and restrained manner. He also said majority of the Chief Ministers in the Country have opposed BT Brinjal.

Before taking a final decision by 10th of February whether to introduce the BT Brinjal for commercial cultivation, the Minister will hold the last public hearing in the series in Bangalore on 6th February.

For the first time in Kerala, the state Government, environmentalists, scientists and farmers have come together against genetically modified crops. They say that introduction of Bt. Brinjal will be against farmers and the rich biodiversity of Kerala.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 01 Feb 2010 14:51

Don’t hasten introduction of Bt brinjal: M.S. Swaminathan
http://beta.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agric ... e98332.ece

Not so scientific: BT brinjal report full of errors
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/not-so-scien ... 19-11.html

AjayKK · Post by **AjayKK** » 01 Feb 2010 15:45

joshvajohn wrote:
Not so scientific: BT brinjal report full of errors
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/not-so-scien ... 19-11.html

Thanks for the above link.

From above:

New Delhi: After global warming BT brinjal may also turn out to be a scientific fraud.

CNN-IBN accessed the bio-safety data submitted by Mahyco to GEAC and in one of the crucial texts based on which the expert committee gave the go ahead to BT brinjal.

The section on protein estimation in cooked brinjal says that uncooked non BT brinjal also tested positive for BT protein.

The question is how can a non BT brinjal have BT protein?

"Non BT brinjal uncooked is positive for toxins. Does it make sense? Something like this happens when you actually manipulate it. So when you manipulate data then you are making changes and you forget to make some change somewhere," said SC's independent nominee to the GEAC Dr Pushpa Bhargava.

Here is the report:

http://www.envfor.nic.in/divisions/csur ... part-I.pdf

PROTEIN ESTIMATION IN COOKED FRUITS

Cooking studies and protein estimation in cooked fruits were done at Mahyco Research
Center, Dawalwadi (Maharashtra). Cooked brinjal fruits are consumed in various forms
in India. Tender Bt brinjal fruits were used in these studies to determine whether the Bt
protein was present in the cooked fruits. The Bt and non-Bt fruits were roasted on flame
for 5, 10 & 15 minutes. The protein was extracted from these tissue samples and used for ELISA which was specific for the detection of Bt protein i.e. Cry1Ac.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/3779 ... report.jpg

Bt protein is a toxic material that repels pests.It is extracted from Bacillus thuringiensis and subsequently transferred to Bt plant seeds. It cannot be present in non Bt plants.

More on the report here :

http://www.thesundayindian.com/01112009 ... 9&pageno=1

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 01 Feb 2010 19:49

Baba Ramdev talks tough on BT brinjal issue
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/01/31/baba ... issue.html

Bulgarians protest against GM foods
http://www.sofiaecho.com/2010/02/01/850 ... t-gm-foods

Even In United States there are concerns by farmers about GM wheat why our politicians want India to be market place for BT Brinjal... see the argument below. They fear that they would loose their export.

WORC represents farmers and ranchers in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Colorado and Oregon. Its membership includes co-plaintiffs in two lawsuits regarding genetically modified hay and sugar beet crops patented by agrichemical giant Monsanto Co.

Blue estimates that the United States would lose market share in Europe, Japan and Asia as those nations went elsewhere for wheat that’s not genetically modified.

The drop in demand would push U.S. wheat prices down 40 percent or more.

However, a marketable, genetically modified wheat seed is still a long way off, say farm advocates of the biotechnology. Public opinion could change by the time genetically modified wheat is ready for harvest.
............
Six years ago, agrichemical company Monsanto Co. was close to introducing patented wheat engineered to resist the powerful herbicide Roundup. Some farmers welcomed the technology because weeds present an endless, costly battle. Grain contaminated with rogue crops like wild oats also fetches lower prices at the elevator.

Monsanto killed its project because of consumer resistance at home and abroad. That resistance still exists, Blue said. In Europe, 58 percent of consumers opposed genetically modified foods.

More than 70 percent of Asian buyers surveyed said they wouldn’t purchase the grain.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-a ... 002e0.html

Chinmayanand · Post by **Chinmayanand** » 02 Feb 2010 00:44

Jarita wrote:^^^ So the clock is ticking. Will they listen to the people of India or will they listen to the money bags?

I propose a the following human trial to assure the population that Bt. is save as the govt. is proposing

Test Design

Time Frame: 36 months
Sample: 50 MP members of congress party and their immediate families. Necessary inclusions are Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi (and her two kids to give age sampling), Manmohan Singh (and spouse and kids and grandkids), Sharad Pawar (and daughter), Jairam Ramesh (and family) and others selected.
Baseline: 10,000 average desis not consuming Bt Brinjal

Actual Test: The sample has to eat atleast 100 grams of Bt Brinjal daily for 36 mths (under observation). They should be observed for 3 hours after let they regurgitate what they eat.

After 36 months the sample can be checked for strange mutations & diseases against the baseline population. Then the country can decide if we want Bt Brinjal.
We can add more indivs to sample such as MS Swaminathan and other bureaucrats who are big fans of BT

Wonderful idea !!! I second that.

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 02 Feb 2010 05:34

BT cotton Another disaster in the making but first we need to make sure that our food supply is not contaminated

http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... up/335174/

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 02 Feb 2010 05:39

The latest on Bt. Brinjal

Bt Brinjal should not be allowed: Scientists to India

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... um=twitter

With less than 10 days to go for Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's final call on the introduction of genetically modified brinjal, leading scientist Pushp Bhargava, who was also the Supreme Court nominee to the country's biotech regulator, Monday warned that if Bt Brinjal is allowed it would be the "single largest disaster".

"Scientists all over the world have opposed GM foods. Renowned scientists like Rupert Sheldrake and many others have said that they don't support GM foods. They have written to India saying that it should not be allowed. If despite all this and the public hearing against Bt Brinjal, it is released it will be the single largest disaster in the country," Bhargava told IANS over phone from Kochi.