Scientists warn about the reverse side of transgenic plants

While the Ministry of Agriculture said that genetically modified crops helped increase productivity, many scientists warned about food safety and the risk of dependence of Vietnamese agriculture on transnational corporations.

>>>Genetically modified plants and the future in Vietnam

On the morning of October 5, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations held a seminar on developing genetically modified crops in Vietnam with the participation of dozens of scientists and experts.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bui Ba Bong, the use of genetically modified plants ( Genetically Modified Crop - GMC ) in the world today has two conflicting ideas. Supporters affirmed that the progress of modern science has helped to increase agricultural output that traditional methods cannot meet. The opposite opinion is that this plant has the potential to have negative consequences for human, animal and biodiversity.

Genetically modified corn is being grown on a large scale trial in Vinh Phuc. (Photo: NH)

Deputy Minister Bong said that with a complex technological and scientific progress like GMC, choosing to absorb easily or decisively refuse is not a good approach.

Currently, Vietnam only allows testing of 3 types of GMC crops: corn, soybean, cotton. These are also three types of plants that we are currently importing in large quantities. Particularly, genetically modified corn in Vietnam has completed the risk assessment for biodiversity and environment. After this step, there are further steps such as biosecurity certification, food qualification certificate. In 2012, genetically modified corn can be put into mass production.

Representing the Institute of Agricultural Genetics - the unit hosting the risk assessment test for transgenic plants, PhD - Director Le Huy Ham announced, by 2010, this plant has actually grown 148 million ha, have not seen any water grown and give up. Countries in Europe that have not yet adopted genetic change are facing an overproduction crisis rather than a shortage, they do not worry much about food security, or land like developing countries. He also affirmed that until now, there have not been recorded any cases affecting the health environment.

Mr. Ham analyzed, people often spray 14 times of pesticides, so they will be affected by health from this toxic drug, and the environment will be affected, thus destroying the environment. . If using insect-resistant transgenic plants, growers do not have to spray pesticides, but they themselves will destroy stem borers, reduce costs, reduce environmental toxicity, and ensure better health than humans. planting, reducing pesticide residue emissions into the environment, ensuring biodiversity.

Most comments in the seminar said that Vietnam should be cautious
and genetic modification technology should not be applied soon. (Photo: NH)

According to Mr. Ham, in principle, genetic modification technology is not new, it has been around for millions of years. The crop itself has been an aspect of genetic modification, but it is a product of millions of years, people only learn and accelerate to meet their needs."Genetically modified crops are a technique of the future, before and after widespread acceptance. The results of recent tests in provinces such as Vinh Phuc, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, people are very happy when the yield from crops. Genetic changes increased dramatically, " said Ham.

Supporting transgenic crops, Professor Nguyen Lan Dung, vice president of the Microbiology Society, believes that this technology should be developed. According to him, the growing population, to ensure food security, want to increase crop productivity needs to find ways to change technology."The world population is expected to exceed 12 billion people after 50 years, how to provide enough food and food for mankind is a huge problem. There is no reason for us to delay in The import of genetically modified crops has been done for many years in the world, " Dung stressed.

In response, professor - academician Tran Dinh Long, Chairman of the Plant Breeders Association said that genetically modified organisms have many potential risks of long-term effects on public health such as the ability to cause allergies and greasy. Antibiotics, can produce toxins and cause long-term toxicity to the body. Antibiotic genes can be transferred into the intestinal microorganisms of humans and carnivores into genetic variation. This will lead to the creation of resistant microorganisms.

In terms of biodiversity, according to Long, genetically modified plants can spread to their wild relatives and other plant species, to harmful insects, microorganisms, potentially increasing their Their resistance to pest resistance, herbicides and increased toxicity of genetically modified plants to beneficial organisms. Thereby affecting the natural food chain, affecting biodiversity.

In addition, the transgenic plants also carry the herbicide-resistant resistance gene with close relatives of the same species, infecting the herbicide resistance gene in the plant population. The selective planting of transgenic plants such as pest, disease and herbicide resistance has spread to an ecological imbalance and to reduce the biodiversity of transgenic plants.

"Vietnam should not develop genetically modified crops on a large scale. We do not oppose genetically modified crops, but how to approach them requires discussion , " Long said. Mr. Long suggested, in the next 10 years should not plant genetically modified plants in our country.

Sharing the same view, Ms. Le Thi Phi Van (Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development) affirmed, "GMC does not make a significant difference in productivity, proven reality, GMC productivity after one time is lower than conventional plants and requires the same amount of toxic herbicides ".

Ms. Van also mentioned a lot of proofs, GMC did not help save costs, the amount of pesticides reduced in the first 2-3 years of GMC application, but then gradually increased. GMC also makes pests become resistant to drugs. GMC also has the potential to adversely affect human and animal health. Recent studies demonstrate that genetic engineering is inherently unsafe, has a serious risk for toxin health, allergies and immune function, reproductive health and physiological and metabolic health. , gene .

A series of opinions from scientists at the seminar also affirmed that, for genetically modified technology, Vietnam cannot "take the lead off" because the benefits are countable but the harm is extremely numerous.

Mr. Tran Dac Loi presented a series of evidence about the threat of genetically modified plants. (Photo: NH)

In addition, according to Ms. Van, the danger is that developing genetically modified plants only makes farmers more dependent on seed companies, while seed companies will be able to control both economically and economically. The goal of attracting investment in plant seeds.

Agreeing with this idea, Mr. Tran Dac Loi, (Vice Chairman of Vietnam Peace and Development Fund) said that it is necessary to study genetically modified organisms (GMO). According to Mr. Loi, the force to promote gene transformation is mainly transnational corporations.

Before the Agriculture Ministry's report said that there was no evidence of suicide by Indian farmers regarding genetically modified plants, Mr. Loi frankly said: "This farmer committed suicide because he did not pay enough for "Interest-bearing loans, because they are entirely dependent on genetically modified seed suppliers. When popular, producers raise prices, and of course farmers go bankrupt."

According to Loi, there are only 29 countries in the world, even in these countries there is a fierce struggle in various ways to not develop GMOs as Peru is determined to suspend not using modified crops. gene for 10 years. Switzerland, Australia also do not continue to develop GMC. People in countries increasingly oppose the inclusion of GMC in their countries on forums as a control of invasion attacks on national food security sovereignty.

Mr. Loi cited the recent comprehensive research report on world agriculture sponsored by the United Nations with the participation of many countries and organizations, concluding: "Genetically modified organisms do not contribute anything. for food security, poverty alleviation, biotransformation, in addition to genetically engineered importation also leads to breed degradation. "

"The current consumption trend of the world is obviously safe food, in the US boycotting GMC, the European Union banned the sale of honey related to GMC products, the United States when rice spreads in America's rice. It is hundreds of millions of dollars, this is the trend of the world, " said Loi.

This delegate suggested, to study carefully before introducing genetically modified plants into life. In particular, it is important to focus on research to ensure objective independence then see if it should be applied.