Letters: GM - Questions persist

The report, "Behind the Monsanto deal, doubts about GMO revolution" (September 16), draws attention to issues regarding pricing and benefits of genetically modified (GM) products.

It is apparent the benefits and yields don't match up to the claims made by seed developers. Recent developments are changing the GMO landscape because there have been sharp increases in the amounts and numbers of chemical herbicides applied to GM crop. Seed developers fear more increases in the next few years. They admit that resistance and super weeds are problems, hence the introduction of next generation seeds - and naturally - at higher prices.

Mergers of the kind between Monsanto and Bayer are taking place across the seed industry, giving the GMO industry a dominant role in the control and supply of seeds. The merger is also a sign of how influential the GM industry has become around the world. The truth of these mergers is restriction of choice and the squeezing out of competitors.

GM crops cannot provide a miraculous and permanent solution to the problem of agricultural pests. We were once under the impression that the modern repertoire of antibiotics would provide a wondrous cure, but bacterial resistance has made the treatment of even common infections tricky.

More transparency, research and something beyond scientists' consensus are needed to allay the public's uneasiness.

Also, major GM organisations are reluctant to mention the GM origin of their products on the labels. If GM products are safe, why the reluctance?

What's interesting is that several major food companies in the US are moving to take GM ingredients off their products and label them as such, so that customers know which products are GM-free.

H N Ramakrishna Bengaluru

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