Say No to Genetically Modified Food and Food Crops

[Shipra Sharma]

Recently, Greenpeace India initiated a nation wide campaign to ban the introduction of genetically modified brinjals in India. Apart from being supported by over 40, 000 common men and women all over the country, the farmers of Madhya Pradesh (The largest Indian state) also refused to grow it in their fields.
Because of these concerted efforts, the Environment Minister of India, Jairam Ramesh responded to the campaign by deferring the approval of genetically-contaminated food crops! He has also called for a nation wide consultation to discuss this subject matter.
So, please take the movement forward and say a BIG no to genetically modified food in your respective countries.

[AHMED SUDAN]

thanks sharma and it is really very importanant to stand and say a big no

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[Shipra Sharma]

Thanks Ahmed, I know you are doing a great job in Sudan and addressing all aspects of the problems related to poor and marginalised people through your initiatives. Thanks again!

[OWINO Fredrick]

Hi Shipra,
I don't know much about GM foods, but from the arguments, counter arguments, noise, etc, etc, I find myself most of the time sympathizing with the proponents of the GM foods..i Mean if you listen to and read them, you can immediately assume the guys have a strong case for it. Maybe you could start by enlightening me about the dark side before i can draw a line..as for now, I still sympathize with their course..really, not that am right on this, I could be dead wrong!!!!

[Shipra Sharma]

Hi Owino,
As Francis has mentioned below, GM crops are structured to grow in any condition and can fight any disease, thus reducing the vulnerability of the crops to failure. Usually the process involves altering the naturally occuring genetic make up of the crop. This can have serious implications for everybody who eats such food. The health risks associated with GM food consumption include "infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system", and so on.
They pose risks for the environment too, as the modified genes have the capacity to transfer from one organism to another without reproduction. This is called horizontal transfer. Moreover, once introduced, they cannot be recalled or contained. This means serious consequences for the wildlife and the ecology as well.

[Francis Mwathi]

GM Foods have been hailed as Pest resistance , Herbicide tolerant , Disease resistance , Cold tolerance , Drought tolerance, and with Nutritional capacity to feed impoverished peoples in in third world countries but environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the governments for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories (environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns.)

[Raphael Wanjaria Njararuhi]

Big NO for GMOs in Kenya!

[Shipra Sharma]

Thanks Raphael!