Agriculture scientists in the 21st century will be broadly classified into two groups?those for, and those against, genetic modification of agriculture crops. Commercial and food crops from cotton to rice are subjected to genetic modification for newer traits like pest resistance, salinity tolerance, added nutrients like beta carotene and the like. In some countries they are released for large-scale cultivation. India has permitted genetically modified cotton for commercial cultivation. About a dozen food crops are under trial.
Now, scientists supporting or opposing GM for agriculture crops have started to come to common platforms. One group of scientists, mostly from Europe, write that insect-protected crops based on the Cry proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may have substantial negative impacts on non-target organisms.
Several critical reports and articles are published in research magazines. The activists and environmental groups in the European Union and in India quote them for opposing GM agricultural crops.
Scientists working on gene technology to transform agriculture with less harm to environment from chemical fertilisers and pesticides, term those articles as ?erroneous analysis? .
Agri-scientists in India are also divided by GM. One group believes that biotechnology is the way ahead for agriculture. It can correct the pitfalls of the green revolution, reduce the dependence on chemicals and ensure higher yield from stagnant or depleting area for cultivation. The supporters point to the lower cost of production, less chemical pollution and higher income for farmers.The opponents argue that genetic modification in agriculture would lead to more dangers. They fear generation of unmanageable monster pests and weeds as the new game is genetic and any damage done is irreversible.
There is a third, apparently neutral, group mostly comprising veteran agriculture scientists, who do not support or oppose GM directly. They advocate a wait and watch policy and call for more tests, more field trials and more accurate analysis of collected data.
?joseph.vackayil@expressindia.com