The Trend of Future Food Production: Genetically Modified (GM) Food and India
November 21st, 2009
As a scientist and avid supporter of environmental sustainability, the issue of genetically modified (GM) food is a hot-button topic for me. For this reason, I wanted to share some thoughts related to this issue and address some points of discussion in author Dr. Sujatha Byravan’s November 6, 2009 online article entitled, “Where is the science?” posted on the India Together website (Click here).
GM crops have come under much scrutiny in the past five to ten years due to the shortage of third-party data on the safety of these crops for human consumption and the overwhelming amount of restrictions on third-party scientific research of GM products. We are now starting to see evidence of how far-reaching the impacts of GM crops really are- from the contamination of native plant species to the proliferation of GM food allergies. The dominant GM seed conglomerate, Monsanto, continues to wield a heavy hand in protecting its interest in the expansion of its GM seed bank catalog. GM seeds are patented and protected under the full scope of the law, and infringement of such patents are punished so egregiously that non-GM farmers (in the U.S.) whose nearby crops are contaminated with GM pollen from winds, are sued by conglomerates, like Monsanto, for patent infringement. Additionally, there are countless cases of scientists and regulators who have spoken out about Monsanto’s coercion and threats against them to keep quiet about adverse findings regarding GM crops. Most are threatened with being financially and professionally ruined, which has no doubt kept the buzz about GM foods very one-sided.
Proponents of and investors in GM crop production often exploit fears of imminent food shortages to support their agenda, and they fail to provide transparency in their R&D processes and scientific developments. Such cases are exemplary of the scientific and ethical concerns surrounding the production of GM food. These concerns must be addressed, especially now that companies like Monsanto are seeking to expand their market share to include India. Why is this significant? Not only does India have one of the largest populations to feed, but it also ranked second worldwide in farm output, and its agricultural industry employed 60% of the Indian workforce in 2007. The extent to which India adopts GM crop production will have a large influence on the way food is produced and people are fed on a global scale. It will also amplify the concern of unknown adverse impacts to human health, ecological balance, and biodiversity. Due to its size alone, the extent to which India decides to integrate GM crop production, will set a trend for the rest of developing countries. As Dr. Byravan points out in her article, “developing countries such as India with its large population and huge potential for markets are very attractive to agribusiness. In India where the vast majority of the people still depend on agriculture for their livelihood, and where diverse ecosystems and crop varieties still thrive, control over food security needs to be a top priority that is not to be handed over to anyone: corporations, governments, or even civil society for that matter. . . India might be where the fight for control over food security between corporations and farmers now lies.” I strongly agree with her assertion.
The nature of food cultivation goes far beyond the scope of filling hungry stomachs. How will India integrate its strong desire for economic growth and increased standard of living with the biological and cultural impacts of introducing GM crops into its food supply? What are the potential cultural impacts of introducing corporate food production and GM seeds to India? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? What do you think will be the global repercussions of India’s decision whether or not to adopt GM food production on a large scale?
-Erika Bylund
Entry Filed under: 2010 Student Blogs, India, Misc.
7 Comments Add your own
1. Hemanth | November 21st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Erika, growing GM crops, is very much a hot button topic in India. Last year, there was a blog post with a PBS documentary called “Dying Fields” about how genetically altered crops, and the loan sharks combined with the gullibility of the farmers are contributing to mass suicides in Vidarbha region of the state of Gujarat, India. I would highly recommend reading the comments on the blog post as well. Here is the link- http://calpolymbatrip.com/2007/india/the-dying-fields/
In fact, Morgan picked up this topic to discuss for ethics competition and the video is on youtube.
2. Tim Lynds | November 24th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I have just started to become aware of some of the issues surrounding GM crops. I am glad you brought this issue up as it is very timely in relation to India and it prompted me to do a little research into the matter. As Hemanth pointed out, GM crops in India are a hot button topic and there is are lot of facts and opinions about it out there.
With the help of Google I came across a paper titled, “Genetically Modified Crops in India”, written by two Indian Biotechnology Engineering students from Delhi. The paper is a good synopsis of GM seed production and the potential pros and cons. There do seem to be a couple of contradictions in the paper, but it is good anyway. If you are like me and do not know much about GM plants I suggest taking a look at this paper in addition to the article listed in this blog- http://paraschopra.com/publications/gm.pdf .
Based on my limited knowledge about GM crops, I believe there is a potential significant risk to Indian culture and food supply. These risks may include the destruction or unintentional modification of other plants by way of contamination from GM plants. This includes contamination that prompts GM corporations to claim patent infringement on innocent farmers.
Also, as in the example in the paper above, GM crops are not guaranteed to produce and some may fail overtime causing a widespread collapse of farm production throughout India. This would devastate farmers and negatively impact the food supply in the country. These and other potential risks need to be addressed.
I am not sure how India will integrate GM crops into their current agriculture or if they will adopt GM crops in large scale. Based on the protests and uprising against GM plants in India, I believe that farmers and other agricultural decision makers will be compelled to at least consider the risks of adopting GM crops. I don’t know what the right choice for India is, but I hope someone figures it out before any irreversible mistakes are made.
3. Jay Ponto | November 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Erika,
This is a fascinating topic. The necessity for more food in countries like India certainly presents a legitimate argument for the implementation of GM crops.
Currently, China is dealing with a similar scenario, and heavily investing in GM food research. The Chinese have taken the initiative to pursue this new technology while India is still sitting on the fence. Last year, China increased its production of GM rice, soybeans, and corn, in addition to maintaining its GM cotton and vegetable yield.
One major concern I have for genetically modified crops is their potential hazard on a farm’s surrounding environment, or potential detriments to humans, such as allergies or other adverse reactions. Does anyone know if the crops China has invested in (or the ones India is considering) have been shown to affect surrounding ecosystems or humans who have consumed the GM crops? Is India considering any future methods to regulate genetic modifications in foods?
4. Jeff Severn | November 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I too am concerned about GMO’s. Not only because of the leverage it gives large corporations over the small farmer in India, but also the farmer in Indiana. More and more of the genetically modified crops are being designed around the chemicals used in the pesticides and fertilizers (also conveniently sold to the farmer)…. Unfortunately the plants don’t grow well if those targeted chemicals aren’t used during the production. This practice really becomes a method of indentured servitude because it forces the repurchase each growing season of the same system of chemicals and seeds.
5. Michael Minasian | November 28th, 2009 at 12:43 am
As an avid home chef I find this to be a very important issue. The more I eat at restaurants which use organic non-GM produce the more I appreciate that this trend, while potentially profitable, is terrible for the quality of our food. The excitement over using fresh naturally cultivated crops makes a world of difference. If we don’t shirk this trend for the quality of the food (or lack thereof), then we will have an uphill battle to climb in order to establish crops of non-GM’s only.
As a business question I find this interesting from two different points. From one perspective, the lack of government regulation is the only thing which efficiently and consistently stimulates the economy, and if there is proper demand for the product, then the market must allow it. The way around this is to educate the population, and establish cheaper non-GM alternatives. For a “social cause” to take hold it needs to have solid economics.
Secondly, the issue with patent litigation is simply another example of the over litigious nature of our society. Whether it’s personal injury, malpractice, or other lawsuits, our courts are cluttered with such cases. How much longer does it take for people to establish new patents because of companies like this challenging every competitor (no matter how harmless) in a patent violation suit? (I’m looking at you too Apple.) This is a trend that needs to stop.
6. Emily Schaapveld | November 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am
As an Iowa native, I have seen the benefits and drawbacks of the GM food industry. On one side, improvements in corn production through GM seeds have made Iowa the top corn producer in the nation. Corn is the lifeblood of “America’s Heartland”. Not only is corn production our biggest industry, but Des Moines is also home to Pioneer Hi-Bred, the second largest producer of hybrid seeds next to Monsanto.
Although corn has done wonders for Iowa’s economy, the implemention of GM practices has had adverse effects on the environment and small farmers. Mass production of corn and lack of crop rotation have caused uncontrollable run off into our fresh water, making it difficult to keep our drinking water quality high. Due to increased prices for GM seeds and their companion chemicals, small farmers have been unable to compete with the large corporate farms. Many family farms have had to shut down and sell off their land to larger operations.
I can imagine that India may see similar effects if it opens its doors to GM seeds. Food production will increase, boosting the economy and helping to feed the booming population. However, GM food production is a business for the big corporations, leaving little room for the small farmers to compete. Although there will be more food to feed the poor, the corporate overhaul of the farming industry will certainly widen the gap even further between the wealthy and the poor. It is hard to predict what will happen to the environment and the ecosystem, but research has shown that GM crops may result in adverse effects that no nation would have ever bargained for.
Maybe it is not always best to “follow the leader”. Although GM crops have boosted the United States’ agriculture business, it may prove to severely hurt us in the future. I understand the pressure on India to compete and feed its growing population, but we do not know all the effects of GM foods, so it is a risk that could have harsh unforeseen consequences.
7. harpreet | December 17th, 2009 at 5:49 am
not good the thing i want was not here
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