In India, the status of hunger has taken a serious form. This is confirmed by the Global Hunger Index. India was ranked 100th in the Global Hunger Index released in 2017, whereas last year India was ranked 97th in this index. In order to improve this situation of hunger and provide proper nutrition, an idea has been expressed that in the country, genetically modified crops should be adopted in abundance.
Arguments in favor of genetically modified crops:
- With the help of the genetic engineering method, necessary changes can be brought about in the properties of crops. Not only crops can be made anti-resistant, but they can also be made dried.
- As the problem of climate change is taking a serious step at a rapid pace, it has become necessary that such crops be grown which are in line with the changing season.
- Production can be increased in large quantities by genetically modified crops. This ensures people can be freed from food insecurity by ensuring food security.
- Genetically modified crops can be made possible in less land than maximum production. The farmers will be benefitted because they will increase their income.
- Genetically modified crops can be beneficial for the environment, because these crops require very little land, so there will be no need to cut forests for the needs of increasing population.
- Through these crops, production can be increased to a great extent, which will help in ensuring availability of products in the market. Proper availability of products in the market will also help in controlling inflation.
- Most of the products will diversify with genetic crops as necessary and necessary changes can be made in the properties of crops by genetic engineering.
- Genetic engineering method can be used to develop crops that can be prepared in minimal consumption of water and can face extreme temperatures. Such crops have emerged as a major requirement of the present time because the problem of water is becoming increasingly serious and the temperature is increasing.
Arguments in the context of Gene-rich crops:
- Although genetically modified crops have helped increase production, it has not been clear yet how safe these crops are for human health. A recent research by Brown University has revealed that all these allergic problems have been found in these crops which are harmful to humans.
- Products of genetically modified crops cannot be used as seeds. New seeds have to be used for each crop. Thus, genetically modified crops make the farmers completely dependent on themselves. It is known that in the traditional crops, farmers use the same product as their crop as seed again and again.
- It is said about these crops that it can harm some local plants and crops, which could pose a threat to biodiversity.
- Growing genetic crops requires excessive amounts of water. In addition, various types of pesticides are also used. Thus, the positive side that is being presented about these crops is in the circle of doubt.
- By continuously growing these crops the farmers can be reluctant to relate their traditional crops. The biggest disadvantage of this will be that in future no one will have any information about conventional crops.
- Some types of diseases can also spread from genetically modified crops. The reason for this is that bacteria and viruses are used to regulate these crops. Thus, this fact definitely makes these crops in cuttings.
- The seeds of genetically modified crops are patented so that the company which is patented on the crop seed can recover the desired price for the seeds.
- Products of genetically modified crops may have to face many types of problems in daily life. For example, producers who sell these crops products may have to face higher tariffs, as local administration can impose separate tariffs on these products.
Conclusions-
It can be concluded that even though there is a great potential in genes cultivated crops, but scientists have not been able to make a single opinion regarding its health effects. For this reason, assessment of its health related effects will be necessary before adopting genetically modified crops.
