THE DAY OF RECKONING FOR GM CROPS-REACHING THE DEAD END?

GM foods are facing enormous consumer resistance due to the "trust deficit" that exists to day between the GM food producers and the consumer, mainly because of the "opaque" manner in which the former work. While the safety of GM foods has not yet been established beyond a shadow of doubt, its potential environmental hazard is yet to be realized widely. It is another matter that 80% of the processed foods consumed in the US contain one or more of GM food ingredients, without the consumer ever knowing about it! The emerging consumer awareness about the uncertainties inherent in GM foods is putting pressure on the industry to declare the presence of GM ingredients in packed foods as a part of the label. Though the GM food lobby is powerful enough to deflect criticisms, the recent report that even they are rattled by the emergence of weedicide resistant weeds which seem to have adversely affected the crop yields. Here is a take on this new development with far reaching implications.

"This is a complex problem," said weed scientist David Shaw in remarks to a national "summit" of weed experts in Washington to come up with a plan to battle weeds that have developed resistance to herbicides. Weed resistance has spread to more than 12 million U.S. acres and primarily afflicts key agricultural areas in the U.S. Southeast and the corn and soybean growing areas of the Midwest. Many of the worst weeds, some of which grow more than six feet and can sharply reduce crop yields, have become resistant to the popular glyphosate-based weed-killer Roundup, as well as other common herbicides. Monsanto Co's Roundup worked well for many years. It became prevalent with the commercialization of "Roundup Ready" crops Monsanto developed to tolerate the weedkiller, making it easy for farmers to treat their fields. But now super weeds have developed a resistance to Roundup, and farmers are scrambling to figure out how to combat their weeds. "We don't have that next technology. We have to get back to the fundamentals," said Shaw, who chairs a task force that is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how to tackle weed resistance problems. Several farmers spoke out about their struggles at the summit, as did experts from the USDA and crop consultants. "This is our number one issue," said Arkansas crop consultant Chuck Farr. "It is a challenge every day, every field." Harold Coble, an agromist and weed scientist with the USDA, called the problem of weed resistance a "game changer" and said farmers must become more versatile. Too many have simply been relying on the chemicals for too long, he said.

Whether the above development will restrain further growth of the GM food industry is some thing to be watched in future. Already the cost of GM seeds and the high cost of cultivation of such crops are impediments for the growth of the industry. Promised yield increase using GM seeds is not happening in many places where cultivation of GM crops has been popular for some time. If the GM technology innovators are not able to find a solution to this emerging dangers, there is every likelihood of farmers reverting to conventional agricultural practices which may sound the death knell for the GM crops industry.  

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

"HUNTER" IS BEING HOUNDED-IMPOTENCY OF THE UBIQUITOUS WEEDICIDE

The euphoria about the advantages of GM crops over traditional ones seems to be misplaced considering the latest problem encountered by cultivators of GM soybean and other crops in the US. Though GM crops are resistant to many insects and pests with high destruction potential, their susceptibility to a number of weeds that can reduce the yield led the widespread use of glyphosate to tackle the weed menace. Recent reports that many of such dreaded weeds are making a come back, after developing resistance to glyphosate is alarming with far reaching implications. In a country like the US where large tracts of land are under cultivation of GM crops the consequences can be mind boggling.

"The first resistant species to pose a serious threat to agriculture was spotted in a Delaware soybean field in 2000. Since then, the problem has spread, with 10 resistant species in at least 22 states infesting millions of acres, predominantly soybeans, cotton and corn. The superweeds could temper American agriculture's enthusiasm for some genetically modified crops. Soybeans, corn and cotton that are engineered to survive spraying with Roundup have become standard in American fields. However, if Roundup doesn't kill the weeds, farmers have little incentive to spend the extra money for the special seeds. Roundup — originally made by Monsanto but now also sold by others under the generic name glyphosate — has been little short of a miracle chemical for farmers. It kills a broad spectrum of weeds, is easy and safe to work with, and breaks down quickly, reducing its environmental impact. Sales took off in the late 1990s, after Monsanto created its brand of Roundup Ready crops that were genetically modified to tolerate the chemical, allowing farmers to spray their fields to kill the weeds while leaving the crop unharmed. Today, Roundup Ready crops account for about 90 percent of the soybeans and 70 percent of the corn and cotton grown in the United States".

Monsanto company which created these crop variants had hoped that the genetic modification they brought about could impart permanent trait to resist any ill- effect of glyphosate on the crop, may have to rework on its strategy immediately to prevent large scale shunning of their seeds by the farmers. Those who propound and espouse the cause of GM food crops must wake up to the reality that Nature has its own way of correcting man-made distortions like this and an introspection is the need of the hour.

V.H.POTTY

http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

BIOTECH "GLAMOUR"-SHIELDIG THE GM FOODS!

The GM FOOD debate is hotting up with hardening attitudes amongst people holding diametrically opposite views. Latest salvo was fired by one of the doyens of Biotechnology in India with pronounced interests in pharmaceutical area declaring that Bt Brinjal is evolved based on a "safe science" and therefore by inference passing her judgment that it is safe for human consumption. Of course if one asks the same question to Monsanto company the answer would not have been different. Here is a take on the issue.

"However, she was quick to be countered by food policy expert Devinder Sharma, who said Mazumdar was only interested in 'making money' and therefore does not mind 'lying'.Speaking for Bt brinjal and the use of biotechnology in agriculture at a curtain raiser event for Bangalore Bio 2010, Shaw said, "There is a danger of false propaganda against Bt, especially at a time when it is going commercial".She said, "We need to tackle this on a scientific basis. Bt is a very safe science and we are all very responsible stakeholders".

It is the tone of the declaration that is amusing because all those opposing including scientists, environmentalists, activists, safety experts and farmers groups have been tarred with the brush "false propaganda". A clear sign of intolerance of others' views which does not bode well for this country.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

THE "BEET" WAR-FARMERS VS FARMERS!

While the global sugar market is all excited about impending large scale purchase of sugar by India which may push up the price significantly in the coming months, a turf war is going on in the US between traditional farmers of sugar beets and those opting for its GM version which may have further bearing on international sugar price. About 50% of sugar in the US is produced by the farmers who cultivate genetically modified sugar beets and the legal wrangle that is brewing may see the courts stopping use of GM seeds till a preview is completed by the government regarding safety and other issues raised by the traditional farmers.

"Organic growers have raised similar concerns about genetically engineered soy beans, corn and other crops. This time they're looking to tip the balance back. They spearheaded a lawsuit charging the USDA approved Roundup Ready sugar beets without assessing potential environmental impacts, like genetic contamination and herbicide resistance. In September, a federal judge ordered the USDA to do the environmental review. It could take years. In the meantime, the farmers and their allies are headed back to court".

It is ironical that sugar which is being blamed for all the health afflictions currently being experienced in the US should be the center of such a controversy. USA has been in the forefront in promoting GM crops with major seed companies like Monsanto enjoying monopoly in seed supplies. If India is going to buy sugar in significant volumes, it may be prudent to avoid American sugar till such time there is unanimity regarding its safety.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com