Genetically modified crops and Indian farmer suicides

Madam, – John Carlin’s claims regarding genetically modified crops in India (December 24th) are factually incorrect.

Madam, – John Carlin’s claims regarding genetically modified crops in India (December 24th) are factually incorrect.

First, on a matter of science, no GM crop on the market contains “termination” technology to “self-destruct”. However, many so-called “natural” crops (eg seedless grapes) cannot reproduce, thus causing termination.

Secondly, regarding the old-wives’ tale of GM crops causing Indian farmer suicides, a recent report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) stated: “It is not only inaccurate, but simply wrong to blame the use of GM cotton as the primary cause of farmer suicides in India.” The report added that “despite the recent media hype around farmer suicides fuelled by civil society organisations and reaching the highest political spheres in India and elsewhere, there is no evidence in available data of a ‘resurgence’ of farmer suicide in India in the last five years.”

The report found that the adoption of pest-resistant GM cotton varieties had led to massive increases in yield and a 40 per cent decrease in pesticide use (Guardian, November 5th). During 2007-08, Indian farmers became the largest producers of cotton with the largest acreage under GM cotton in the world, pushing China into second place. GM cotton now has the largest share of cotton production in the Indian cotton-growing states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab (Wall Street Journal, November 19th).

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Overall, GM crops on their own are no miracle solution for poor countries facing a panoply of problems, but GM crop research will be necessary over the longer term to make food supplies more secure and combat environmental problems.

Bob Geldof recently described himself as “a big GM guy”. He admitted that genetically modified crops were not “the answer to everything”, but added: “If you develop something that’s a net boon to vulnerable people, give it to them. Give it to them!” – Yours, etc,

SHANE H. MORRIS,

Department of Biochemistry,

University College Cork.