JOIN US'Mayor assures to make Mysore a GE free city'
National convener of Southern Action on Genetic Engineering (SAGE) P V Satheesh said that mayor Rajeshwari has assured to take necessary steps to make Mysore a GE free city.
At a press conference here on Wednesday, he disclosed the concepts discussed in a meeting held with mayor and other leaders of Mysore City Corporation. He said that there was an intense opposition against the genetically modified food entering into city.
Various organisations who participated in the meeting upheld the demerits of GE. “The meeting discussed limitations of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and merits of organic farming.”
Stating that heritage status of Mysore should be retained and not be polluted by genetically modified products he said, “Mysore is not only known for palaces but foods and flowers of the city also have importance.”
V N Lakshminarayana of Sage said that there was a great difference between hybrids and GMOs.
Both were hazardous to health and environment. Mysore famous for heritage foods and flowers like Mysore mallige(jasmine), eerengere mogarubadanekayi (brinjal), sone avarekai (field beans), veelyadele (betel leaves) and many more which add to its culture.
They do also have an iconic status in food history of Karnataka.
Expressing his concern over many crops and even environment which would be polluted by GE, he said, “cultural assaults is faced by GE industry and conserving them was as important as conserving heritage buildings.”
He said in order to protect organic integrity, GE must be opposed in Mysore by each and every resident to make it a ‘GE free city’ and ‘organic city.’ “More than 350 villages under State Government’s Organic Karnataka policy is declared as organic villages.
“Consuming genetically modified food would lead to serious health hazards including autism. GE products are the ones which destroy all other surrounding flora excluding itself.”
He stressed that farmers, researchers and users should oppose GMOs. “Regardless of profession specific, the issue should be opposed as it is a matter of concern for all.”
Joint convener of SAGE K N Ramachandra said that the organisation had opposed GE 10 years back. Replying to a query whether the concern of SAGE would find its response from MCC, he said, “its our duty to create awareness against something which would harm our environment which has to be preserved for the next generation and we have done it.
If the local body and district administration does not take responsibility, our movement would raise voice and it’s more important that public in general and youth in specific need to support the cause.”