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by Talia Jayasekera

Genetic Modification. These words alone could bring glee to scientists while causing terror in the common man. Not all is rosy in the realm of the genetically modified. There is much controversy surrounding this gene splicing technique with its `Dolly-like' connotations. Dispelling myths enveloping genetic modification will no doubt be a mammoth task. Sri Lanka is still very much new to the concept unlike countries such as England, China, India and America, who regularly dabble in this new and unknown territory.

Genetic Engineering is the forced transfer of genetic information or material across barriers to the gene flow and expressions that are normally impenetrable for the purpose of creating novel genetic combinations that would never occur normally. It is the direct manipulation of the genetic make up of organisms.

As with all things, there is the good and the bad. In agriculture, GM allows simple genetic traits to be transferred to crop plants from wild relatives, other distantly related plants, or virtually any other organism. This could only rightly invoke fear in any person regarding the possible health risks such as allergies or even the possibility of it adversely affecting the environment.

While scientists believe that it is mainly ignorance that is resistance force behind the lack of acceptance, the consumer has the right to an informed decision.

Genetic Modification offers a way to quickly improve crop characteristics, such as yield, growth, pest resistance or herbicide tolerance, often to a degree not possible by traditional methods. Thus far, GM foods have shown significant plus points. Take for example American corn. The corn is identical to its predecessor except its genetic make up is the only differentiating factor - it has an added gene. This gene, known as the BT gene, enables the corn to repel pests like the bollworm, which could be devastating to any crop. Genetic modification also reduces the amount of pesticides used by farmers which is a definite advantage not only for mankind but for the environment as well.

Countries like America have for several years now sold GM foods in its supermarkets and exported to African nations. Uganda has developed a corn varieties that are more resistant to disease and thrive in degraded soil, that is soil poor in nitrogen.

While Kenyan agronomists are developing a sweet potato that wards off viruses. Presently, research is being done to provide drought-tolerant, disease-defeating and vitamin-fortified forms of crops to feed the millions bordering on starvation. Europe, however, has stood firmly against the importation of GM foods especially from America, often sending back large consignments of corn and other items.

As far as the health factor is concerned, to date deaths by consumption of GM foods are yet to be recorded.

Scientists are developing ways to lower cholesterol through GM foods, developing edible vaccines in bananas and also the GM foods consumed are higher in nutrients like proteins and vitamins.

This is not to say that GM foods have no disadvantages. Side-effects that will only surface 20 or 30 years down the line is what worries environmentalists and other experts.

Unanticipated allergic responses to the new novel substances in GM foods is a concern. Birth defects that could appear and also the overall nutritional value offered by normal food may be lowered or lost.

Disturbing nature's boundaries seems to be the main target in all man's undertakings. It is never an option for us to give back what we plunder from this earth rather to take while the giving is good with no thought for the future.

Organisations such as Greenpeace are putting forward strong objections to GM foods because they could destroy the already fragile balance of the eco-systems by increasing soil toxicity, stemming bio-diversity and wiping out whole plant families. By doing so this destruction will move further up the food chain to wildlife and surely onto us.

For our own part, the Health Ministry recently announced its decision to monitor and control all GM foods imported to the country.

New regulations will be gazetted soon that will require importers of GM foods to obtain approval before importing such items. It will also be compulsory to provide labels on the items. This is a part of a campaign to provide consumers with an informed choice. A Technical Committee has been set up which comprises institutions and organisations within this field.

For many of us, genetic modification is a moral issue. By interfering in the natural order of life and its elements, we are trying to play God. No doubt by modifying food for a quicker and more robust growth we could possibly help solve world hunger but what about the consequences of our actions 20 years on? By then foreign species, with the potential to harm, will have been adapted into the system.

Species that could annihilate mankind just as the meteor that wiped out the age of the Dinosaur. Can we, in all consciousness, bestow such a fate on our future generations?

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