Genetically Modified Crops: A Step Forward or Catastrophe?

Abstract

For thousands of years India has been producing plants with desirable traits by conventional breeding methods. Through controlled cross breeding, several generations of our indigenous farming families have not only identified and selected but have also combined and propagated plants with favorable characteristics. This has been succinctly put by Viva Kermani, the environmentalist, in the following way: ‘Indian farmers have legitimate claims to be scientists, innovators, natural resource stewards, seed savers and hybridization experts.’ It is, therefore, ironical and agonizing that even though non-genetically modified agriculture is inextricably intertwined with Indian culture, history and ethos, and India produces enough to satisfy the hunger of its masses, there has been a push to promote genetically modified crops [GMCs] in India. Mammoth seed MNCs are greedily waiting to prey upon our multi-billion rupee seed market. This will create havoc with the lives of our farming communities; human, animal and plant life; agriculture and food safety and security; environment; and our rich bio-diversity.What are GMCs? Is there a need for such crops in India? Are there any risks related to GMCs? Do case studies support the mythical advantages of GMCs? What is the road ahead for India? This paper raises these questions.