Prince Charles spearheads move against GMO

Prince Charles spearheads move against GMO

Joseph Vackayil

Chennai, June 13: Beginning with the US, plant biotechnology is taking roots in several countries. Many American corporates like Monsanto, Novartis and DuPont are spending millions of dollars on research and development of markets globally for the genetically modified (GM) seeds, plants and food.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have kicked up controversies and debates all over the world. Interestingly, prince Charles has been spearheading an anti GMO movement in the United Kingdom. The questions and the explanations by the prince are:-

Do we need GM food in this country? The prince says the benefits of this technology will be limited to people who own it and those who farm on an industrialised scale.

Is GM food safe for us to eat? Only independent long period scientific research can provide the final answer.

Why are the final rules for approving GM foods so much less stringent than those new medicines produced using the same technology? It has to be ensured that GM food does noharm to us, asserts the prince.

How much do we really know about the environmental consequences of GM crop? The prince says that the lab tests showing that pollen from GM maize in the US caused damage to the caterpillars of monarch butterflies, which is the latest cause for concern. More alarmingly this GM maize is not under test.

Is it sensible to plant test crops without strict regulations in place? The prince wants enforceable regulations in place.

How will consumers be able to exercise genuine choice? Labelling have a role to play. But if conventional organic foods are contaminated with GM crops, people who wish to avoid GM food products will be denied choice, argues the prince.

If something goes wrong with GM crop, who will be responsible? It is important to know who is liable to pay for human health and environment damages, if any occurs.

Are GM crops really the only way to feed the world's growing population?

What effect will GM crops have on the people ofworld's poorest countries. Will GM crops really help or will they make the problems worse asks the prince, as in most places where people starve shortage of food is not the underlying cause.

What sort of world do we want to live in? This is the most fundamental and universally relevant question raised by the price.

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