A function being organised by the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) in coordination with Environment Society and Science society Government College for Girls Ludhiana with the cooperation of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) on Saturday.
Ludhiana, November 30, 2013: The genetically engineered crops are neither safe for health nor they will solve the problem of food security; instead they contribute to lower yields, increased use of herbicides/insecticides, unpredictable performance, poor economic returns, and a progressive monopoly on food by big corporations. They also encourage herbicide-tolerant weeds and pesticide-resistant superbugs, belying their purported goal of "feeding the world". Instead these large food corporations are actually more the cause of world hunger currently, than they are the solution to it.
This was said by internationally renowned scientist Padma Shri Dr.Suman Sahai founder of the Gene Campaign while delivering a talk at a function organised by the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha(BJGVJ) in coordination with Environment Society and Science society Government College for Girls Ludhiana with the cooperation of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) today on Saturday. Genetic mutations have occurred in nature in long period of time as a result of laws of nature as per the environmental and other conditions. Nature provided safeguards to any negative effect of such mutations. But the genetic modification in the laboratories is fraught with dangerous consequences and amounts to playing with nature, she warned. Several researches have shown that the genetically engineered food has harmful effects on the health of mammals in general. How can then the human be safe from the adverse effects, she questioned? Big corporations like Monsanto are promoting this with the sole aim of earning huge profits. This will force the farmers worldwide to buy seeds from these corporations. It is pertinent to note that the farmers generally save their own seeds for the next crop. Moreover any disease occurring on such crops will not be easily managed. The medicines produced by Monsanto and allies will have to be used to treat. The corporation will thus earn double profit. She further warned that the GM crops could be an environmental disaster and bio terrorism imposed by the big corporations. She demanded that the government of India should reconsider its policy towards the GM food.
Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh – Agriculture Development Officer said that organic farming is the only answer for a healthy food. The yield may be initially low but after two to three years the results are good. Reckless use of insecticides and pesticides has added to the health problems among us. He also emphasized the need to manage crop residue in situ as this promotes fertility of soil.
Dr Arun Mitra – General Secretary BJGVJ said that in some of the western countries the GM foods are separately labeled and grown. But in Indian conditions it would be impossible to do it. Therefore they have to be shun. He demanded that our universities should do R&D according to our needs and conditions instead of depending on the multinational corporations.
Gurminder Kaur – Principal of the college said that it is important for the students to be well versed with the newer happenings around. Such events are helpful in increasing their knowledge and sensitizing them on newer issues.
Maj. Sher Singh Aulukh – President BJGVJ thanked the college principal for her cooperation in organizing such events.
Dr Manju Sahnir Secretary Science society and Environment Society said that the societies interacts on scientific issues of general concern time to time.
M S Bhatia Organsing Secretary BJGVJ Ludhiana said that the Jatha will plan further activities on the issue.