Are you aware of the dangers of GM Crops & Foods?

Did you know that Genetically Modified crops cannot be recalled, if they are released into the environment? It is an irreversible process since we are talking about living organisms, modified at a fundamental level. That is the reason why it is important for all of us to understand about GM crops and their implications.

GM crops are created by inserting a foreign gene into a plant – these genes are often brought from non-plant sources, with proven hazardous implications! Further, the process of genetic engineering itself causes several changes inside an organism’s DNA, [DNA, as you know, is often referred to as the ‘building blocks of life’]. The resultant implications are in the form of adverse health or environmental impacts.

Studies with GM foods have found various adverse health results like stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomachs, misshapen cell structures in different organs, liver and kidney lesions, reduced digestive enzymes, inflamed lung tissue, higher offspring mortality etc. Further, there are many environmental hazards like increased incidence of pests and diseases, pest and weed resistance, impacts on beneficial organisms, increased use of chemicals in farming, potential impacts on soil and changes in associated eco-systems. Many of these potential hazards have already manifested themselves in the past six years of Bt Cotton cultivation in India, the only GM crop allowed so far. There are also ethical implications with the entry of GM crops – if you are a vegetarian and in your food, genes from an animal have been inserted, would you continue to be a vegetarian?

GM crops have been rejected by a whopping majority of nations around the world and by individual communities. Why are we in India allowing ourselves to become the scapegoats in this experimentation by MNC science in search of more and more markets? In the name of GE technology, it is companies like Monsanto which are making huge profits, in millions of rupees, at the expense of poor Indian farmers.

In India, we are standing on the verge of the first food crop from being allowed into the country on a commercial basis – Bt Brinjal. It is up to you to decide whether you will allow this GM food crop pushed by American interests onto your plate or not. If not, this is the time to ACT.

DON’T ALLOW ANY MORE GM CROPS/FOODS INTO THE COUNTRY.

ASK YOUR ELECTED LEADERS WHAT THEIR STAND IS. ASK DIFFERENT PARTIES’ CANDIDATES WHAT THEIR STAND IS AND CHOOSE YOUR VOTE CAREFULLY.

DECIDE TODAY THAT YOU WILL REMAIN GM-FREE. SPREAD THE MESSAGE TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ENSURE THAT THEY REMAIN GM-FREE TOO.

JOIN US IN A DAY-LONG ANTI-GM PROTEST

AT JANTAR MANTAR IN DELHI ON MAY 6^TH 2008

SAY NO TO GM CROPS & FOODS.

Coalition for GM free India

Contact: INSAF, A124/6 1st floor, Katwaria Sarai

New Delhi 110 016. Phone-26517814