Food is needed for human survival and with diminishing agricultural lands we cannot rely solely on traditional breeding or indigenous varieties

Agriculture and human civilization have evolved side by side. Early reports of farming can be seen during the predynastic period around 5000-3000 BCE. Archaeological evidence from the Indus Valley civilization points to agriculture during 2,500 BCE. During the passing of the period from predynastic to the present era we could see a lot of changes in human civilization. The cultivation practice that we have been following is also evolving. People have been cultivating crops for thousands of years, transporting them to new regions of the planet, and modifying them to fit their requirements at every stage of the process.

 The discovery of laws of inheritance by Gregor Medel in the 1800s made hybridization a popular tool in crop improvement, where we cross-bred various varieties of the same species. With the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953 and subsequent developments in molecular biology scientists have started applying various molecular tools in plant breeding. In the 1980s, scientists also developed techniques for engineering novel features by mixing and matching DNA from various plant and animal species through genetic engineering, popularly known as transgenic or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Throughout our history, we can see that we have modified our crop plants using the latest available scientific knowledge during the time. It's important to note that while there is opposition to GM crops, there are also proponents who highlight potential benefits such as increased crop yield, reduced pesticide use, and enhanced nutritional content.

Some of the concerns raised by the public may be worth debating. But all these concerns are relevant to traditional breeding also. Since people have been farming for such a long time, nearly all crops grown today have been genetically improved, whether through domestication, selective breeding, hybridization, radiation or chemicals, or changes made directly to plant genes by humans. When we implemented the green revolution in the country, along with food security, it also led to the depletion of many of our indigenous varieties and species of plants and also led to pollution through the large-scale use of fertilizers and pesticides. It also threatened the existence of many microbes and animal species.

This practice is still being followed by our agriculture community. Still none of the so-called ‘activists’ opposed the unhealthy practice being followed. Then why is this stiff opposition to GM plants, when GM plants and products are already in our ecosystem and even in our bodies, that have entered indirectly through adulterated products?

It's worth noting that the scientific consensus supports the safety and potential benefits of GM crops. Food is needed for human survival and with diminishing agricultural lands we cannot rely solely on traditional breeding or indigenous varieties.

Of course, government agencies need to take steps to effectively conserve the gene pool of our traditional varieties. We need to prevent the cultivation of not only GM crops but also domesticated or hybrid varieties. In this way, we can conserve our gene pool for the future. 

Blindly opposing the fruits of modern science like genetic engineering or recombinant engineering will harm even the survival of the human race on this planet.

Of course, instead of bringing GM under the monopoly of corporate companies, the government should promote GM cultivation through its agencies like KVKs or through agriculture departments. This will help in gaining public confidence in accepting this novel technology.

(The writer is a science communicator & columnist. Views expressed are personal)