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