Food security: Overcome India's GM crops prejudice

Abstract

India's agricultural productivity is not keeping pace with its population, despite its growing economy. Advances in transgenic technology could alleviate the situation, but there is strident opposition in the nation to genetically modified (GM) crops from non-governmental organizations and from spiritual gurus, in the name of tradition, biodiversity and other ill-founded concerns. Millions of people worldwide have been consuming GM maize (known as Bt corn) over the past decade, and no authenticated health issues have arisen. Bt-transformed plants reduce pesticide application so are suitable for organic farming. GM rice that provides a balance of protein and micronutrients would vastly improve the health of millions of children.