ICMR Wants Overhaul Of GM Foods Regulation

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

New Delhi, July 25: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has raised some concerns over the safety of genetically modified (GM) food and has urged for an overhaul of the existing regulatory mechanism.

Citing some particular instances the ICMR study entitled ‘Regulatory Regime for Genetically Modified Foods : The Way Ahead’, said “the case of GM potatoes experiencing Galanthus nivalis lectin gene for insecticidal properties is an example of the potential of GM foods to cause toxicity. In a group of rats fed with GM potato damage to immune system and stunted growth was observed and the experiment had generated considerable controversy.”

In case of the GM rice, soyabean and rapeseed the study said “currently developed plants with improved nutritive value include GM rice with enriched vitamin A and GM soyabean and rapeseed with modified fatty acid. The impact of such intended modification in nutrient level in a crop plants can affect nutritional status of the individual. There is also the potential for unexpected alteration in nutrient as it was observed in the case of GM rice (accumulation of xanthophylls, increase in prolamines). Such changes can affect nutrient profiles resulting in nutritional imbalances in the consumer.”

The ICMR study has been circulated among concerned ministries and departments of the government.

The study noted that 73 per cent of the GM crops in the world are developed for herbicide tolerance while 18 per cent are developed for resistance to insects and 8 per cent developed contain both the traits. Only 0.1 per cent of GM crops are for yield improvement and vitamin enrichment. The study cautioned that GM crops for herbicide and pest resistance could have a potential for development of resistance in target organism. “This has been particularly observed in crops developed for insect resistance like cotton. This has resulted in the use of a ‘refugia’ while cultivating Bt crops. Similarly in the case of herbicide resistance crops like soyabean, a potential for development of superweeds due to spread of herbicide resistance from GM crops to weeds exists,” the study said.

In context, the study suggested that more than herbicide resistance, India needs crops resistant to drought, temperature and soil stress and crops for nutritional enrichment, increased productivity and pest resistance. It also said that GM varieties which will eliminate the problem of naturally occuring toxins like the unusual toxic amino acids in Lathyrus satvus are important.