Local cotton affected by genetically modified crop
Local cotton affected by genetically modified crop
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A study by a post-graduate student from the Bogor Institute of
Agriculture (IPB) has shown that genetically modified cotton
grown experimentally in South Sulawesi has contaminated areas
around the plantation.
Maharmah Nadir, the researcher, said on Tuesday that the
contamination could be detected through molecular observation
only.
Maharmah conducted her study from September 2001 through
August 2002, at a South Sulawesi genetically modified cotton
plantation owned and funded by American firm PT Monagro Kimia.
"Local cotton farmers will only find out that their cotton has
been polluted by the modified cotton at harvest time.
"With their crops being similar to the genetically modified
cotton, they could face legal charges of growing genetically
modified cotton without the permission of Monsanto (the firm that
holds the patent for the modified cotton)," she told The Jakarta
Post on Wednesday.
Dadang Gusyana, spokesman for Monagro Kimia, said on Wednesday
that his company doubted the methodology of the latest study, and
therefore could not yet accept its findings.
"We have been conducting research for three years and we have
not yet found any adverse impact (from the genetically modified
cotton)," he said.
He also claimed that Maharmah had conducted her study in
Monagro Kimia's fields without obtaining permission from the
company.
Maharmah carried out her research in Bajeng subdistrict, South
Sulawesi, where the Bolgar strain of genetically modified cotton
is being cultivated close by local cotton of the Kanesia 7
variety.
She said that if the contaminated local cotton was used as raw
material for oil, the oil could not be exported to countries that
banned unlabeled genetically modified agricultural and food
products.
Therefore, she suggested that local cotton farmers and Monagro
Kimia should stagger their crops so that they would be harvested
at different times.
"Another alternative would be for the genetically modified
cotton and cotton plants to be quarantined," she said.