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Genetically-modified potatoes pose threat: farmers' panel

By Our Staff Reporter

PALAKKAD JUNE 22. The National Farmers Protection Committee (NFPC) has warned that the move to give approval for genetically modified (GM) potatoes within six months by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is fraught with dangerous consequences.

The NFPC chairman, K. Ravikumar, said in a statement here today that there were reports quoting Manju Sharma, head of the Bio-technology Department (DBT) about the move. The GM potatoes are protein-enriched through a gene transplanted from another plant called amaranthus. The idea is to incorporate the GM potatoes in the Government's free mid-day meal programme in schools, presumably to take care of malnutrition in children.

In this context, the question that remains unanswered is, why can't we think of supplying amaranthus grains directly as a supplement for protein rather than routing it through potatoes? In fact, amaranthus is a plant that can grow in the tropical and sub-tropical climate and popularising its cultivation would contribute more to solve the problem of malnutrition.

A renowned scientist and votary of gene technology, Arpat Pusztai of Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen lost his job when he turned against GM food. Dr. Pusztai fed groups of rats on two strains of potatoes genetically engineered to include lectin, which is a naturally occurring protein that protects some plants from attacks by insects and pests. His research showed that rats fed with GM potatoes suffered a damage of their immune system. Apart from that, these rats were said to have smaller brains and showed damage to vital organs.

The NFPC said Dr. Pusztai's research suggested that the "transgenic gene'' implanted in the new plant may be non-toxic by itself. But there was a possibility that this "gene promoter'' which is used to "switch on'' the lectin gene could recombine with other viruses and turn toxic and carcinogenic. He feels that unless in-depth research is done on the "messenger RNA network'' which is rather complicated and could take years, the impact cannot be pinpointed.

"The issue is more serious than it appears because at the moment, the approval by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee is made on the basis of the impact assessment of DNA, which is very peripheral in nature and does not reveal the whole truth. We should consider the fact that viruses are responsible for one fifth of all cancers. The lectin gene, though non-toxic itself, could recombine to become carcinogenic".

Taken together, the issue becomes serious and should be investigated thoroughly before taking a policy decision to approve the GM potatoes, especially when it concerns the free mid-day meal in schools, the NFPC statement said.

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