Gene-edited rice crops: Desi seed producers, activists slam Centre

Bengaluru: Weeks after the authorities refuted concerns over release of gene-edited rice seeds, the India Seed Sovereignty Alliance on Tuesday called out the government for its failure to ensure bio-safety testing, public consultation or long-term ecological assessment.

As many as 26 desi seed producers, public policy experts and activists came together under the banner of the Alliance to demand immediate withdrawal of the two varieties of the gene-edited rice seeds as they threaten the seed sovereignty of the farmers and sought full regulatory oversight on gene-editing technology.

"There is voluminous scientific data from India and all over the world on the numerous potential hazards of genetic manipulation of the DNA of organisms, especially food crops, whether it is termed genetic modification, genetic engineering or gene editing," the statement said.

The Alliance, in line with Coalition Against GM Crops, listed out nine major concerns. starting with violation of precautionary principle and absence of biosafety data to the questionable deregulation of gene-edited crops,violation of federal state rights, threat to seed sovereignty, biodiversity and heightened vulnerability to climate change.

Apex court direction ignored

The Alliance said genetic manipulation can result in the creation of new proteins that can potentially be toxic or cause allergies to which children are particularly vulnerable. "The Supreme Court of India re-emphasised the fundamental importance of the precautionary principle – to safeguard the health of consumers, farmers and the environment. Yet there is no information provided on any appraisal or tests done, and the bio-safety data available," it said.

It questioned the government's deregulation of SDN-1 and SDN-2 gene editing techniques used to produce the two varieties of rice seeds released last month. "Thuis sets a dangerous precedent, where gene-edited crops like maize, mustard, wheat and brinjal can be introduced with no independent scrutiny, environmental safeguards or labelling," it added.

Stating that India has more than 1 lakh varieties of rice varieties with diverse unique qualities, including resilience to drought, flood, salinity, pests and diseases, the activists criticised the Centre for diversion of resources towards lab-generated crops instead of conserving the existing seeds. "Considering our rich genetic wealth of indigenous rice varieties and that India is already producing surplus rice, significantly exceeding national need, there is no need for lab-engineered varieties of doubtful merit," the activists said.

They also noted that releasing such seeds without prior consultation with states undermines federal principles of the government and high economic prospects of the organic sector besides bringing new vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector.

The Centre had recently dismissed the concerns raised by the Coalition, stating that the two varieties were safe and there was no need for alarm.