Professor Dr. Shanthu Shantharam of the Iowa State University’s Seed Science Centre said that the decision on the usage of GM crops should be left to farmers and not to environmental activists. He was speaking at a seminar on ‘GM Technology – Myth and Reality’ organised by the Industrial Economist magazine on Saturday at the CLRI.
“Let farmers give the verdict,” said the scientist who has worked for biotechnology and bio-safety for the U.S.-AID and the UN-FAO.
Countering arguments that Bt Cotton was a failure, he said that farmers were using Bt Cotton in spite of the criticism leveled against it.
Some farmers at the event also agreed with the scientist. Raveendran, a farmer from Thiruvarur district pointed out that he has been able to increase his productivity and reduce costs on pesticides with the introduction of Bt Cotton. He said that the quality of the cotton produced was also better.
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Others speakers at the event added that the scientific community must do more research in the area, and produce evidence to dispel fears.
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