Controversy continues over transgenic produce<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Environmental groups, producers and scientists
\non Friday demanded the government take up a more assertive and
\nactive role in resolving the long standing debate over transgenic
\ncrops.<\/p>\n
They called on the government to issue strict and
\ncomprehensive regulations, as well as conducting proper field
\ntests which could give clarity to the issue.<\/p>\n
Council board member of the National Consortium for Nature and
\nForest Conservation (Konphalindo), Hira Jhamtani insisted that
\nthe government remain cautious and adopt a precautionary approach
\nto the question of transgenic crops.<\/p>\n
"This is not something that Indonesia has experience with,"
\nHira remarked during a discussion on the safety of transgenic
\nproducts here on Friday.<\/p>\n
"We also have the right to know if biosafety tests are being
\nconducted. So, give people the report," she added.<\/p>\n
Transgenic technology is concerned with ways to create higher
\nquality crops and stocks by inserting genes from other species.<\/p>\n
These products are considered Genetically Modified Organisms
\n(GMOs) or biologically engineered products in which genes are
\ninserted to protect the plant from pests or to resist a specific
\nherbicide.<\/p>\n
Despite assurances from scientists that it is harmless, some
\ndoubts linger as to the safety of genetically modified foods and
\ntheir effect on health and the environment.<\/p>\n
Hira claimed there are some 300 scientists all over the world
\nwho have called for caution over the use of transgenic products.<\/p>\n
"Even if it is only 300, which is less than those who said
\nthat the technology is safe, that might indicate that there may
\nbe some danger associated with these products," she added.<\/p>\n
The onus in adopting a precautionary approach, she said, "lies
\nwith the government."<\/p>\n
While regulations have yet to be issued, Hira added, the
\ngovernment must impose a moratorium on tests or planting of such
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
The most recent case involves agrochemical firm PT Monagro
\nKimia which has planted transgenic Bt cotton over the last seven
\nmonths in Bantaeng and Bulukumba regencies, South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
PT Monagro is a subsidiary of the world's second largest seed
\nproducing company and third largest agrochemical company,
\nAmerican-based Monsanto. It has developed genetically engineered
\nproducts like soybean which can resist specific herbicides.<\/p>\n
The company is now harvesting the crops which were planted in
\na 500 hectare area.<\/p>\n
Monagro's Southeast Asia biotechnology manager Kartika
\nAdiwilaga said that the company has conducted every test needed
\nto ensure that the technology is safe.<\/p>\n
"We also need to determine this issue democratically. Give the
\nfarmers' a choice. Local farmers were not pressured but insisted
\non planting such crops as they yield more harvest and thus more
\nincome," Kartika said in the discussion.<\/p>\n
The cotton apparently has higher productivity, with yields of
\ntwo to three tons per hectare, whereas local cotton only yields
\n401 kilograms per hectare.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister for Environmental Management Daniel Murdiarso,
\nmeanwhile said that the government is working on the ratification
\nof the Cartagena Protocol about biosafety.<\/p>\n
"We're also working on the formulation of biosafety
\nregulations. On Feb. 19 there will be a hearing with House of the
\nRepresentatives about the matter," he said.<\/p>\n
The discussion was also attended by Mae-Wan Ho, a geneticist
\nand a biophysicist from the Open University in England.<\/p>\n
According to Ho, part of the reason for the whole debate is
\nthe lack of transparency and availability of information.<\/p>\n
"I suspect that in this example it is a case of abusing
\nstatistics. The analogy is that if someone can't be proven
\nguilty, it doesn't mean that they're innocent," she said. (hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/controversy-continues-over-transgenic-produce-1447893297",
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