LIPI: Nothing to fear from genetically modified food
JAKARTA (JP): Scientists have called for cool heads, both government and public, over fears of genetically modified crops and stocks, saying that the gains from such technology far outweigh the potential dangers.
Soefjan Tsauri, head of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said on Tuesday that the technology was the answer to the country's problems of providing food in the future, while its negative effects have yet to be proven.
"We understand that fears are raised by the uncertainty of the products' effects. But this technology could reduce the use of pesticides that can endanger lives and the environment, increase the nutritional value in the products and raise production.
"And it's our task to undergo a risk assessment and manage these products," Soefjan said.
Transgenic technology is a way to create higher quality crops and stocks by inserting genes from other species.
For example, rice can be genetically modified to be rich in vitamins, containing genes from a daffodil flower and a bacteria that possess pro-vitamin A codes.
The technology, which has been fully developed in the United States and European countries, has improved the quality of at least 16 products, including rice, corn, potatoes, soybean and cotton.
Indonesia has established the technology to modify rice, cassava, corn, peanuts and chilies by exploiting bacteria and genes. However, the distribution of these foodstuffs has yet to be approved by the agricultural ministry.
The government-sponsored LIPI is currently undergoing research on enhancing tomatoes and sugar cane.
But genetically modified produce has become a global controversy, as fears persist that genetically modified organisms might be unsafe.
Those who support the development of such produce have denied the allegations and argue that national restrictions against genetically modified products are tantamount to violating free trade arrangements.
Several Indonesian ministries, including the ministries of environment; health; agriculture; and forestry and plantation, along with researchers and universities have agreed to form a working group to formulate temporary regulations on the development of transgenic technology, its distribution and permits for exported products.
Indonesia has not signed the international protocol on biosafety called the Cartagena Protocol.
Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf told The Jakarta Post that the working group would discuss preparations prior to Indonesia signing the protocol, which contains articles regulating the technology of such products and related consumer protection issues.
Soefjan argued that despite fears of its possible side effects, nutrition-rich food was urgently needed in Indonesia.
He cited a report from the United Nations Children's Fund that states Indonesian infants still suffer from vitamin A deficiency. He said better nutrition could help save the two million babies who die each year from diarrhea and chicken pox.
Soefjan admitted that the institute at present did not have sufficient technology to inspect the safety of these products. But he warned that Indonesia had to catch up as such products would soon start flooding the country.
"We are being left behind by our neighbors in Southeast Asia, so it's about time for us to boost the technology to prepare ourselves to face transgenic products," he said. (01)