RSS wing against investments from genetic engineering firms

Even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his US visit, the Sangh Parivar has come out with its demands. Vijnana Bharati, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-inspired organisation working in the field of science, told Modi, through an open letter, not to invite any sort of investments in the field of genetic engineering technologies to produce seeds in India.

"Indian farmers and scientific community are engaged in a relentless war against the field trials announced by the Union government and the introduction of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) without adequate research," said A Jayakumar, secretary-general, Vijnana Bharati.

According to Jayakumar, the PM had already mentioned he would seek investments in the biotechnology sector during his US visit.

"While investments in other fields of biotechnology might be desirable, investments in genetic engineering for producing seeds should be strictly avoided due to certain critical factors. Most importantly, genetic engineering technologies go hand-in-hand with royalties. The monopoly of Monsanto in Maharashtra has led to serious debts incurred by farmers resulting in large-scale suicides," the open letter said.

The letter noted the experience in the US, where herbicide-resistant GMO seeds have led to the emergence of super weeds, which are uncontrollable.

"As the Technical Expert Committee appointed by the Supreme Court has rightly recommended, there is no place for herbicide-tolerant GMO crops in small farms of India. Besides, organic, agro-ecological systems are proven over the tides of time to be the best path to food security," it said.

Sangh Parivar organisations such as Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh had been instrumental in the government holding back its decision on allowing field trials for GM crops. There is a feeling within the Parivar that the government is under pressure from US seed companies to introduce GM crops in India.

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RSS wing against investments from genetic engineering firms