Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Jan 30 (IANS) Noted agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan Saturday called for a thorough analysis of the benefits and risks of genetically modified Bt Brijal before introducing it in the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of a programme “Effective Community Management of Bio-diversity in an Era of Climate Change” at the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology here, he said every technology has benefits and risks.

“Genetically modified crops are also a technology. But it all depends on our capacity to analyse risks and benefits. We must analyse whether risks are more than the benefits or the other way round,” he said.

“One or two varieties of crop do not reflect in all varieties. Today these varieties of crop may be resistant (to a disease) but tomorrow they may break down, then the local varieties would be in serious difficulty,” he apprehended.

Swaminathan said the long term gains and losses must be analysed before introducing the genetically modified crops.

“Short-term sustainable food security should not be at the cost of long-term gain. So we need to study it thoroughly analysing the long term and short term benefits,” he maintained.