By Debjeet Sarangi and Jagannath Chatterjee

Jeffrey M Smith, renowned author of three bestsellers on health risks of
genetically engineered food, cautioned the Orissa government against
allowing commercial production of genetically engineered crops, particularly
Bt Brinjal, which is poised to be sanctioned very soon. During his recent
visit to Bhubaneswar, he appealed the government to go in for confined tests
instead apprehending that the field trials of genetically engineered crops
can result in cross pollination and may cause contamination by releasing the
inserted gene into the environment and into other associated crops appealing
to the government.


While in Bhubaneswar to attend the launch of the Indian edition of his
widely acclaimed book "Genetic Roulette, The Documented Health Risks of
Genetically Engineered food", Jeffrey Smith explained that his experience of
giving lectures to various audiences in 30 countries and his interaction
with expert scientists for thirteen years helped a lot in documenting 65
health risks as brought out by studies conducted across the globe.

He pointed out how Bt Cotton has adversely affected the health of farmers
and resulted in deaths of cattle, sheep and goats in the states where it has
been permitted. He wondered how the illegal cultivation of Bt Cotton in
Orissa has been allowed to go on without any monitoring and research to
gauze the fallout. He said he was certain that the entire cotton crop of the
state has been contaminated. This crop would also result in health risks to
the general public as cotton seed oil forms a part of most cooking oils that
are regularly consumed.

Among the scientific studies cited were studies on rats that brought out
serious organ disorders, high infant mortality, changes in intestinal gut
flora and deaths. The only human study ever conducted revealed that inserted
genes are getting transferred to intestinal bacteria.

An independent study conducted by the Deccan Development Society in India
has revealed symptoms of reduced food intake, swollen lips, frothy
salivation, nasal discharge, bulging of head and deaths within 25 to 30 days
of continuous Bt Cotton fodder consumption. Similarly in the state of
Haryana a study has revealed that buffaloes suffered prolapsed uterus,
premature deliveries, abortions, reduction in milk output and fat content,
change in taste of milk, and sudden deaths after being fed Bt Cotton fodder
and oil seed cakes for a regular period. Post mortems on dead animals has
revealed holes in lungs and change in colour of internal organs. The Andhra
Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department has official acknowledged such effects.
What is most dangerous, Smith pointed out, is that there is undigested food
in the rumen indicating that perhaps rumen bacteria are being killed by the
Bt toxin. The Bt toxin, dangerous in itself, becomes 1000 times more toxic
during the genetic engineering process. This toxin has never been approved
for mammalian consumption!

Jeffrey Smith cautioned against the consumption of food products imported
from USA and a few other countries that were growing genetically engineered
crops. He said that consuming genetically modified corn, Soya, canola, rape
seed containing products imported from the USA and GM papaya from Hawaii
could be dangerous. The fact that the proposed "GMO Free" labeling for food
products is being resisted by governments makes it very difficult for
consumers to know whether the food they are consuming is safe to eat.

Scientists from the OUAT, Veterinary Surgeons of the Orissa Veterinary
College, doctors and senior policy makers have expressed great concern and
displeasure with the inadequate nature of the bio safety studies conducted
by the seed companies which are the only studies that are being considered
by the Government of India to approve such crops.

Jeffrey Smith pointed out that Dr Pushpa Bhargava, Supreme Court appointed
nominee to oversee the manner of approvals by the GEAC, has expressed
displeasure at the way the approvals have been granted. According to Dr
Pushpa Bhargava, renowned molecular biologist, less than 10% of the required
studies have been done and even these studies have not been done in a proper
manner. Not a single adverse event has been considered.

Smith informed that Dr Bhargava has devised a protocol that includes a
laboratory being set up in India for testing genetically engineered food and
crops. These crops, according to Dr Bhargava, are being commercially
released 20 years too soon without having adequate knowledge or technology
to ensure that the intended effects occur and the foods are safe for human
consumption.

The Government of Orissa has requested Jeffrey Smith to interact with Dr
Bhargava and explore the possibility of carrying out the tests recommended
by the molecular biologist in Orissa itself at a meeting where Mr. Smith
expressed his happiness that the Chief Minister of Orissa, a nature lover,
has pledged not to allow Bt Brinjal into the state. He informed senior
officials that the Government of Orissa should protest the decision of the
Centre to impose legislation that would take away the decision making power
of states with regard to agriculture and thus pave the way for introduction
of genetically engineered food and crops into the state.

Senior Agriculture Officials of the State have assured Jeffrey Smith that
the Government is in no mood to allow the entry of GM food crops into Orissa
but there is always the possibility of illegal cultivation as farmers,
longing for a greater income, fall a prey to the promises made by seed
sellers. The same thing has happened with Bt Cotton in Orissa. In such a
case, said Dr Smith, the consumers in Orissa have to give up eating brinjal
as it would be very difficult for the consumer to distinguish between
natural brinjal and its genetically engineered version.

Jeffrey Smith has given us very good insight into the probable risks
associated with genetically engineered food and crops, opined a senior
scientist of the state under conditions of anonymity. We sincerely hope that
the Government of Orissa will do rigorous, unbiased independent scientific
research under the guidance of Dr Pushpa Bhargava so as to protect the
health of all living beings and the environment and also share the findings
of such studies with the public. Bt Cotton has already shown its dark side
in Orissa by rendering the soil infertile and causing allergies in human
beings. Cattle in the districts where Bt Cotton is being grown illegally are
dying mysteriously in large numbers. "Bt Brinjal should definitely be banned
in India," said a very senior official of the agriculture department of
Orissa during his interaction with Jeffrey Smith.

Mr Sarangi is the Secretary and Mr Chatterjee is the Campaign Coordinator of
'Living Farms', Bhubaneswar, Orissa
www.checkbiotech.org