Former professor of National Science Foundation speaks out

Scientists and activists should be cautious regarding GM food crops, K.P. Prabhakaran Nair, former Professor of the National Science Foundation, said in a lecture in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Prof Nair was speaking at the memorial lecture organised by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, according to a newspaper report.

GM crops are not going to feed the future India and hence they are not the answer to the food security issue, the former professor added.

Previously Prof Nair criticised GM golden rice as a solution to vitamin A deficiency. He called instead for the Modi government to revive India’s traditional food systems and cultures, pointing out that they contain many plants that are rich sources of vitamin A.

Regarding Bt brinjal (eggplant), Prof Nair has warned that the poor scientific practices of the GMO regulator GEAC, as well as inadequate testing by the Monsanto subsidiary company that developed the crop, mean that key biosafety questions remain unanswered.