PAU will only test GM tech, not greenlight it

MODIFICATION of plants began with the collection of plants for food by humans thousands of years ago. This effort gained momentum through deliberate crop improvement initiatives — what we now call plant breeding. Most of the crop plants, including modern maize and its parent teosinte, went through massive change.However, these efforts were limited by sexual barrier and, thus, confined to plants which can be crossed together. This barrier was overcome by a technology developed a few decades ago, making the transfer of gene(s)/ genetic material possible practically from any other living being to crop plants. The products of this technology are known as genetically modified (GM) crops.This technology is resource-intensive and it has become difficult for us to keep pace with the developed world. To remain acquainted with these developments, there is a need to explore public-private partnership (PPP) and evaluate the GM products developed by others. PPP is not a one-way process as the seed production of the new varieties developed by public sector is mostly done by private sector.Further, in a world with rising population, where food and nutritional security, environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of millions of farmers are at stake, all relevant technologies should be thoroughly evaluated for any potential gains.Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has appropriately decided to conduct scientific trials on GM maize. These trials are to be conducted strictly under carefully monitored biosafety guidelines as was being done earlier. It is claimed that the new GM hybrids have resistance to certain insect pests and tolerance to certain herbicides (it should be assured that the use of herbicide has to be as per guidelines issued by the government). The PAU trials will help us understand how these perform in Punjab’s agro-ecological conditions, and whether there is any enhancement of economic returns vis-a-vis ecological sustainability.On this basis, the PAU will be testing the veracity of the claims made by developers. It’s important to understand that the trials themselves will not lead to the permission of sale of GM maize seeds. The trials are meant to collect facts that policymakers, farmers and others can rely on when weighing pros and cons of GM seeds. The PAU’s job is to test the products of new technologies, not to greenlight their entry into the marketplace. That call lies with the government’s regulators, who can make decisions based only if the required data is available.It is natural to have concerns about new technologies, their health risks, environmental impacts and the potential of increased corporate control over agriculture, especially when related to food. These are important issues that deserve careful consideration.At the same time, it is also important to recognise that GM crops undergo the required testing as per national guidelines, and that these are under cultivation in around 30 nations. Further, the acreage in developing countries has surpassed that in the developed world. This can happen only if these crops give higher returns and farmers show preference for them.By conducting trials of GM maize, the PAU is upholding its responsibility as a leading research institution. Let PAU do what any good scientific institution should be doing.Baldev Singh Dhillon is former Vice-Chancellor, PAU.

PAU will only test GM tech, not greenlight it

All relevant technologies in the field of genetic modification of plants should be thoroughly evaluated

Baldev Singh Dhillon

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