“We need to strike a balance between using the potential of
biotechnology to meet the requirements of hungry people while addressing
concerns about interfering with nature”- Dr. Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister of
India).
Over the past decade, the use and consumption of GE crops
has significantly increased in North America as well as in Europe. In this week’s
blog I will shed some light on other parts of the world and their view on
genetic engineering of foods, specifically India. In an article from GMO
Biosafety Research, the Indian Institute of Technology analyzes several factors
that influence the public perception of GMOs in India.
Benefits vs Issues of Ethics
Due to the
advantages of using GE crops, such as drought/frost-resistance, less quantity
of insecticides, and quick production rate, it is beneficial to use GM crops in India
from a socioeconomic standpoint. Genetically engineering foods in countries
such as India is valuable because of the increase in demand of food.
However,
because GM foods do not require labeling, religious groups in India do not
favor the use of GMOs. Also, if GM crops are used, small farmers will see fewer
buyers. Because of this drawback, public perception and vote towards GM crops
will be low from religious individuals and small farmers. "Many religious groups argue that biotechnology is equivalent to ‘playing God’ and is fundamentally wrong. Mixing genes and changing the DNA code is tampering with nature and could lead to adverse repercussions. There are objections to incorporating animal genes in plants."
Technology
Countries
such as U.S and in Europe strongly support, rely, and encourage the use of
technology. This differs in India, where technology is viewed only as a tool for the rich
and not a necessity for the poor. However, agriculture is the primary
occupation in India, especially in northern India, and crops that are produced
sell at very cheap rates. Due to the long production time and cheap seller
rate, big farmers will find GM crops advantageous, mainly the use of Bt cotton.
China also views the genetic engineering of foods as a way to increase their
food security.
Media
The Indian
media has negatively perceived GE crops or has given limited information about
it to the public. In 2003, 55% of the
U.S. public reported to trust the media about biotechnology due to
misinformation given by the media. If the public in India has more government
regulators to explain benefits of GE foods, the media/internet may begin to
reveal information regarding the pros of biotechnology, instead of simply the
cons.
Do you think individuals in America and in other parts of the world will support the use of biotech foods depending on the media? Which source of information do you think would be the best way to connect with the public in the U.S. about the use of GMOs and would that source to reach the public be different in India?
Below is a graph portraying how the public accesses
information. Figure A is India. Figure B is Europe. Figure C- red=India,
blue=Europe
http://bio.sophiapublisher.com/html-200-12-gmo
http://bio.sophiapublisher.com/files/upfiles/GMOv2no03big.png
It is very interesting to see how other parts of world view on GE foods. I have thought only advanced countries such as U.S. and Europe would be opposed to GE foods.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post, I understand why India is greatly opposed to GM foods. Since most people in India have religion, and genetically modifying crops can be viewed as against the nature, I can see why they don't want GE foods. Also, their products were cheap originally, so people in India might not regard GE foods as great as people in other country.