Letters: A referendum on GM

This refers to the report “Alarm over proposal to ban GM trials” (October 19). The recommendation of a 10-year moratorium on field trials for genetically modified (GM) food crops will lead India to the kind of Dark Ages that Europe saw, when certain institutions were against all sorts of scientific innovations. The move will ensure that India lags its neighbour, China.

China is taking quantum leaps in all fields from sanitation and infrastructure development to scientific innovations in nano, bio, micro, nuclear and space technologies. India’s other neighbours – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – will definitely learn from India’s mistakes and collaborate with China to develop these areas. India should hold a referendum on GM crops and let the public decide their future, rather than allowing a few people who are against scientific and technological advancement to do so.

Chandrashekhar G Ranade, Virginia

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