LIPI: Nothing to fear from genetically modified food

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)