> I think, to the contrary, we could blame them with our eyes closed, given
> their past record, and we would have an excellent chance of being right. And
> in the case of GM foods, everyone knows what Monsanto has been doing in
> Canada, so it is pointless asking for the Ramkatha to be repeated all over
> again.  It is only the people who are sold out and tied to some crumbs from
> the profit that these companies hope to make (and we have many of them in
> India) that would have a problem. If you look at issues historically, you
> immediately see that it is through such traitors that India was colonised,
> and is maintained in its current state of abject dependence.

> This is exactly why I have been focussing on the issue of ethics of
> science: those science managers who give bad or wrong advice in such cases
> of risky new technnlogy, should be held responsible for the consequent
> damage, and should be hanged at the very least. That should apply also to
> every case of a drug which is first approved and later withdrawn because of
> its side effects (and there are a large number of such drugs).

> Want to discuss the ethics of GM foods publicly anyone?

> CKR

> ================================
> C. K. Raju, Ph.D.
> Distinguished Professor & Director (Academic) Inmantec
> &
> Editorial Fellow, Centre for Studies in Civilizations
> -------------------------------------
> Res: B-56, Tarang Apartments
> 19, I. P. Extension
> Delhi 110 092
> Tel: 2272-6015
> Fax: 2272-4533
> web: http://ckraju.net
> -------------------------------------
> Find all the time in the world at
> http://www.11PicsOfTime.com <http://www.11picsoftime.com/>

> and an infinity of infinitesimals at
> http://IndianCalculus.info <http://indiancalculus.info/>
> ===================

> ------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:40:11 -0700
> From: doc...@yahoo.com
> Subject: Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
> To: mcaru...@gmail.com; sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com;
> a_kal...@rediffmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com
> CC: mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com; mfule...@vsnl.com;
> yasmink...@hotmail.com; avarisinc...@yahoo.com; sheela.do...@xaviers.edu;
> drdo...@mtnl.net.in; dase...@rediffmail.com; radiyapa...@gmail.com;
> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com; rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu;
> pgk...@gmail.com; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; nagarju...@gmail.com;
> bj...@tifr.res.in;
> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com;
> Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
> bobb...@gmail.com; jatinn...@gmail.com; peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com;
> ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com; issa...@gmail.com; c_k_r...@hotmail.com;
> pa...@esocialsciences.com

>  Dear Sir,
> It would be too ambitious to blame anyone (whether US or Indian Companies)
> without looking at the nitigrities of the issue.

> I am sure, we can discuss this at length and probably share some of the
> recent policy documents on the Subject (some of us may have access to the
> same) before coming reaching conclusion.

> Sincerely,

> SANJAY
> *
> *************************************************************************** ************
> *
> *Sanjay V. Deshmukh, PhD* [LEAD Fellow (INDIA) - Cohort 11]
> Professor & Head, University Department of Life Sciences AND
> Coordinator - Ratnagiri Sub-Centre
> University of Mumbai (BOMBAY)
> Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400098, INDIA.
> + 91 22 2652 7950-58 (ext. 666): Tel. (work)
> + 91 22 2652 8822 Tel. (work -direct)
> + 91 22 2652 6053 Fax. (work)
> + 91 9820 095 085 Cell
> sanjaydeshm...@lifesciences.mu.ac.in E-mail (work)
> doc...@yahoo.com E-mail (personal)
> http://www.mu.ac.in Website

>  ------------------------------
> *From:* MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com>
> *To:* lsc sophia <sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com>; Anuradha Kalhan <
> a_kal...@rediffmail.com>; Jose george <josegeor...@hotmail.com>
> *Cc:* sanjay Deshmukh <doc...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <
> mhfule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. Fulekar <m.h.fule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H.
> Fulekar <mfule...@vsnl.com>; yasmin <yasmink...@hotmail.com>; yasmina
> avari <avarisinc...@yahoo.com>; Sheela Donde <sheela.do...@xaviers.edu>;
> Sheila donde <drdo...@mtnl.net.in>; Seema Das <dase...@rediffmail.com>;
> Radiya Pacha Gupta <radiyapa...@gmail.com>; prashant <
> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com>; Rajendra Shinde <
> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu>; purushottam g kale <pgk...@gmail.com>; Dr.
> Hemchandra C. Pradhan <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>; Nagarjuna G. <
> nagarju...@gmail.com>; B Jagadeeshwar Rao <bj...@tifr.res.in>;
> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com; BIOLOGY NETWORK
> <Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in>; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com; bobby p m <
> bobb...@gmail.com>; jatinn...@gmail.com; peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com;
> Ganesh Iyer <ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com>; Indianacademy Socialsciences <
> issa...@gmail.com>; C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>; Padma Prakash <
> pa...@esocialsciences.com>
> *Sent:* Sun, October 25, 2009 9:25:04 AM
> *Subject:* GM food Minister gives time for us to act

> Dear all,
> Don't we want the choice: Between Knowingly devouring Genetically Modified
> Brinjal (Bt Brinjal) and unknowingly gobbling it up?

> The Env Minister Jairam Ramesh has given us more time to represent our
> views before deciding either way! Folks, we need to understand and act.

> Pushpa Bhargava ( Former CCMB director) who is a member of the GEAC
> (Genetic Engg. Approval Committee) did not want the US multi-national
> company-promoted Bt Brinjal to be approved. But the majority of the GEAC
> recommended for approval.

> The minister Jairam struck!

> He said, he wants to hear from people who are going to eat it and face the
> music, if any.

> We have a special stake, folks: Aswati (our former student & Jenifer's
> batch mate) who is finishing PhD in the US was the one small voice
> challenging the lies and half truths perpetrated by the multinational
> company, Monsanto and its Indian cohort Mahyco, (as early as in 2000)?! She
> has at least two 'publications' on this!
> Arunan

> Dear Sir,
> Even I feel strongly about it. It makes sense to allow GM crops only if
> there is a dire need for it and things cannot be handled otherwise.
> So what can we do to oppose it or atleast pump some sense into it?

> Viraj

> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:38 PM, MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com> wrote:

>> Thanks Sanjay for your reply.
>> I am sureRaju, this is the proper time for us to discuss on the GM food
>> issue. It will be too late, if we wait.

>> I hope, all those who are teaching genetic engineering from undergraduate
>> classes onwards, will use this opportunity to initiate students into this
>> controversy. That will be the ideal pedagogic device.

>> e.g. what is the state of affairs in the European Union vis vis GM food?
>> Over to you Raju.
>> Arunan

>> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>> Dear Arunan,

>>> I think, to the contrary, we could blame them with our eyes closed, given
>>> their past record, and we would have an excellent chance of being right. And
>>> in the case of GM foods, everyone knows what Monsanto has been doing in
>>> Canada, so it is pointless asking for the Ramkatha to be repeated all over
>>> again.  It is only the people who are sold out and tied to some crumbs from
>>> the profit that these companies hope to make (and we have many of them in
>>> India) that would have a problem. If you look at issues historically, you
>>> immediately see that it is through such traitors that India was colonised,
>>> and is maintained in its current state of abject dependence.

>>> This is exactly why I have been focussing on the issue of ethics of
>>> science: those science managers who give bad or wrong advice in such cases
>>> of risky new technnlogy, should be held responsible for the consequent
>>> damage, and should be hanged at the very least. That should apply also to
>>> every case of a drug which is first approved and later withdrawn because of
>>> its side effects (and there are a large number of such drugs).

>>> Want to discuss the ethics of GM foods publicly anyone?

>>> CKR

>>> ================================
>>> C. K. Raju, Ph.D.
>>> Distinguished Professor & Director (Academic) Inmantec
>>> &
>>> Editorial Fellow, Centre for Studies in Civilizations
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> Res: B-56, Tarang Apartments
>>> 19, I. P. Extension
>>> Delhi 110 092
>>> Tel: 2272-6015
>>> Fax: 2272-4533
>>> web: http://ckraju.net
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> Find all the time in the world at
>>> http://www.11PicsOfTime.com <http://www.11picsoftime.com/>

>>> and an infinity of infinitesimals at
>>> http://IndianCalculus.info <http://indiancalculus.info/>
>>> ===================

>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:40:11 -0700
>>> From: doc...@yahoo.com
>>> Subject: Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
>>> To: mcaru...@gmail.com; sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com;
>>> a_kal...@rediffmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com
>>> CC: mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com; mfule...@vsnl.com;
>>> yasmink...@hotmail.com; avarisinc...@yahoo.com; sheela.do...@xaviers.edu;
>>> drdo...@mtnl.net.in; dase...@rediffmail.com; radiyapa...@gmail.com;
>>> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com; rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu;
>>> pgk...@gmail.com; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; nagarju...@gmail.com;
>>> bj...@tifr.res.in;
>>> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com;
>>> Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
>>> bobb...@gmail.com; jatinn...@gmail.com; peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com;
>>> ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com; issa...@gmail.com; c_k_r...@hotmail.com;
>>> pa...@esocialsciences.com

>>>  Dear Sir,
>>> It would be too ambitious to blame anyone (whether US or Indian
>>> Companies) without looking at the nitigrities of the issue.

>>> I am sure, we can discuss this at length and probably share some of the
>>> recent policy documents on the Subject (some of us may have access to the
>>> same) before coming reaching conclusion.

>>> Sincerely,

>>> SANJAY
>>> *
>>> *************************************************************************** ************
>>> *
>>> *Sanjay V. Deshmukh, PhD* [LEAD Fellow (INDIA) - Cohort 11]
>>> Professor & Head, University Department of Life Sciences AND
>>> Coordinator - Ratnagiri Sub-Centre
>>> University of Mumbai (BOMBAY)
>>> Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400098, INDIA.
>>> + 91 22 2652 7950-58 (ext. 666): Tel. (work)
>>> + 91 22 2652 8822 Tel. (work -direct)
>>> + 91 22 2652 6053 Fax. (work)
>>> + 91 9820 095 085 Cell
>>> sanjaydeshm...@lifesciences.mu.ac.in E-mail (work)
>>> doc...@yahoo.com E-mail (personal)
>>> http://www.mu.ac.in Website

>>>  ------------------------------
>>> *From:* MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com>
>>> *To:* lsc sophia <sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com>; Anuradha Kalhan <
>>> a_kal...@rediffmail.com>; Jose george <josegeor...@hotmail.com>
>>> *Cc:* sanjay Deshmukh <doc...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <
>>> mhfule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. Fulekar <m.h.fule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H.
>>> Fulekar <mfule...@vsnl.com>; yasmin <yasmink...@hotmail.com>; yasmina
>>> avari <avarisinc...@yahoo.com>; Sheela Donde <sheela.do...@xaviers.edu>;
>>> Sheila donde <drdo...@mtnl.net.in>; Seema Das <dase...@rediffmail.com>;
>>> Radiya Pacha Gupta <radiyapa...@gmail.com>; prashant <
>>> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com>; Rajendra Shinde <
>>> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu>; purushottam g kale <pgk...@gmail.com>; Dr.
>>> Hemchandra C. Pradhan <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>; Nagarjuna G. <
>>> nagarju...@gmail.com>; B Jagadeeshwar Rao <bj...@tifr.res.in>;
>>> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com; BIOLOGY
>>> NETWORK <Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in>; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
>>> bobby p m <bobb...@gmail.com>; jatinn...@gmail.com;
>>> peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com; Ganesh Iyer <ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com>;
>>> Indianacademy Socialsciences <issa...@gmail.com>; C. K. Raju <
>>> c_k_r...@hotmail.com>; Padma Prakash <pa...@esocialsciences.com>
>>> *Sent:* Sun, October 25, 2009 9:25:04 AM
>>> *Subject:* GM food Minister gives time for us to act

>>> Dear all,
>>> Don't we want the choice: Between Knowingly devouring Genetically
>>> Modified Brinjal (Bt Brinjal) and unknowingly gobbling it up?

>>> The Env Minister Jairam Ramesh has given us more time to represent our
>>> views before deciding either way! Folks, we need to understand and act.

>>> Pushpa Bhargava ( Former CCMB director) who is a member of the GEAC
>>> (Genetic Engg. Approval Committee) did not want the US multi-national
>>> company-promoted Bt Brinjal to be approved. But the majority of the GEAC
>>> recommended for approval.

>>> The minister Jairam struck!

>>> He said, he wants to hear from people who are going to eat it and face
>>> the music, if any.

>>> We have a special stake, folks: Aswati (our former student & Jenifer's
>>> batch mate) who is finishing PhD in the US was the one small voice
>>> challenging the lies and half truths perpetrated by the multinational
>>> company, Monsanto and its Indian cohort Mahyco, (as early as in 2000)?! She
>>> has at least two 'publications' on this!
>>> Arunan

>  __._,_.___
> Messages in this topic
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sophia_lscgroup/message/3780;_ylc=X3oDM...>
> (3) Reply (via web post)
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sophia_lscgroup/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxODF1d...>|
> Start a new topic
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sophia_lscgroup/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMDZ1b...>
> Messages<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sophia_lscgroup/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJmd...>|

> If you look at it, India had severe famine till we got Independence from
> the Imperial Britain. After Independence in  and definitely after we became
> the Repubic, we had no famine. Can you believe it? So is the question of
> starvation and semi starvation  of large section of people: it happens not
> because there is inadequate food stock, but because of inadequate food
> distribution mechanisms. So, the issue is not inadequate food production
> capacity; but the policy of food production and capacity utilization. It is
> not just a technical issue. It is clearly a policy issue! *A great
> visionary like Bill Gates cannot be innocent of this!*

> The GM food is a great business model. Period. It is not even a great
> technical model (Not adequate study as to its potential health hazards is
> conducted by independent scientists!).

> There is also this question of choice: why do not the proponents agree for
> labelling the GM food so that you and me have a choice, to avoid it if we so
> desire?

> There is a whole lot of  issues there. Thank the Minister who granted us
> time to represent. Represent,we should!

> MC Arunan

> MC Arunan, PhD

> Head, Brain Research & Cognitive Sciences Laboratory,

> Department of Life science, Sophia College for Women,

>  Bhulabhai Desai Road,

> Mumbai- 400 026, India.

> Phone: (College) 022-23512642

>             (Res.)      022-23512560

> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 2:01 AM, Viraj Torsekar <viraj.torse...@gmail.com>wrote:

>> Dear Sir,
>> Even I feel strongly about it. It makes sense to allow GM crops only if
>> there is a dire need for it and things cannot be handled otherwise.
>> So what can we do to oppose it or atleast pump some sense into it?

>> Viraj

>> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:38 PM, MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>> Thanks Sanjay for your reply.
>>> I am sureRaju, this is the proper time for us to discuss on the GM food
>>> issue. It will be too late, if we wait.

>>> I hope, all those who are teaching genetic engineering from undergraduate
>>> classes onwards, will use this opportunity to initiate students into this
>>> controversy. That will be the ideal pedagogic device.

>>> e.g. what is the state of affairs in the European Union vis vis GM food?
>>> Over to you Raju.
>>> Arunan

>>> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>wrote:

>>>> Dear Arunan,

>>>> I think, to the contrary, we could blame them with our eyes closed,
>>>> given their past record, and we would have an excellent chance of being
>>>> right. And in the case of GM foods, everyone knows what Monsanto has been
>>>> doing in Canada, so it is pointless asking for the Ramkatha to be repeated
>>>> all over again.  It is only the people who are sold out and tied to some
>>>> crumbs from the profit that these companies hope to make (and we have many
>>>> of them in India) that would have a problem. If you look at issues
>>>> historically, you immediately see that it is through such traitors that
>>>> India was colonised, and is maintained in its current state of abject
>>>> dependence.

>>>> This is exactly why I have been focussing on the issue of ethics of
>>>> science: those science managers who give bad or wrong advice in such cases
>>>> of risky new technnlogy, should be held responsible for the consequent
>>>> damage, and should be hanged at the very least. That should apply also to
>>>> every case of a drug which is first approved and later withdrawn because of
>>>> its side effects (and there are a large number of such drugs).

>>>> Want to discuss the ethics of GM foods publicly anyone?

>>>> CKR

>>>> ================================
>>>> C. K. Raju, Ph.D.
>>>> Distinguished Professor & Director (Academic) Inmantec
>>>> &
>>>> Editorial Fellow, Centre for Studies in Civilizations
>>>> -------------------------------------
>>>> Res: B-56, Tarang Apartments
>>>> 19, I. P. Extension
>>>> Delhi 110 092
>>>> Tel: 2272-6015
>>>> Fax: 2272-4533
>>>> web: http://ckraju.net
>>>> -------------------------------------
>>>> Find all the time in the world at
>>>> http://www.11PicsOfTime.com <http://www.11picsoftime.com/>

>>>> and an infinity of infinitesimals at
>>>> http://IndianCalculus.info <http://indiancalculus.info/>
>>>> ===================

>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:40:11 -0700
>>>> From: doc...@yahoo.com
>>>> Subject: Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
>>>> To: mcaru...@gmail.com; sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com;
>>>> a_kal...@rediffmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com
>>>> CC: mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com; mfule...@vsnl.com;
>>>> yasmink...@hotmail.com; avarisinc...@yahoo.com;
>>>> sheela.do...@xaviers.edu; drdo...@mtnl.net.in; dase...@rediffmail.com;
>>>> radiyapa...@gmail.com; prof_prash...@rediffmail.com;
>>>> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu; pgk...@gmail.com; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in;
>>>> nagarju...@gmail.com; bj...@tifr.res.in;
>>>> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com;
>>>> Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
>>>> bobb...@gmail.com; jatinn...@gmail.com; peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com;
>>>> ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com; issa...@gmail.com; c_k_r...@hotmail.com;
>>>> pa...@esocialsciences.com

>>>>  Dear Sir,
>>>> It would be too ambitious to blame anyone (whether US or Indian
>>>> Companies) without looking at the nitigrities of the issue.

>>>> I am sure, we can discuss this at length and probably share some of the
>>>> recent policy documents on the Subject (some of us may have access to the
>>>> same) before coming reaching conclusion.

>>>> Sincerely,

>>>> SANJAY
>>>> *
>>>> *************************************************************************** ************
>>>> *
>>>> *Sanjay V. Deshmukh, PhD* [LEAD Fellow (INDIA) - Cohort 11]
>>>> Professor & Head, University Department of Life Sciences AND
>>>> Coordinator - Ratnagiri Sub-Centre
>>>> University of Mumbai (BOMBAY)
>>>> Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400098, INDIA.
>>>> + 91 22 2652 7950-58 (ext. 666): Tel. (work)
>>>> + 91 22 2652 8822 Tel. (work -direct)
>>>> + 91 22 2652 6053 Fax. (work)
>>>> + 91 9820 095 085 Cell
>>>> sanjaydeshm...@lifesciences.mu.ac.in E-mail (work)
>>>> doc...@yahoo.com E-mail (personal)
>>>> http://www.mu.ac.in Website

>>>>  ------------------------------
>>>> *From:* MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com>
>>>> *To:* lsc sophia <sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com>; Anuradha Kalhan <
>>>> a_kal...@rediffmail.com>; Jose george <josegeor...@hotmail.com>
>>>> *Cc:* sanjay Deshmukh <doc...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <
>>>> mhfule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. Fulekar <m.h.fule...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H.
>>>> Fulekar <mfule...@vsnl.com>; yasmin <yasmink...@hotmail.com>; yasmina
>>>> avari <avarisinc...@yahoo.com>; Sheela Donde <sheela.do...@xaviers.edu>;
>>>> Sheila donde <drdo...@mtnl.net.in>; Seema Das <dase...@rediffmail.com>;
>>>> Radiya Pacha Gupta <radiyapa...@gmail.com>; prashant <
>>>> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com>; Rajendra Shinde <
>>>> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu>; purushottam g kale <pgk...@gmail.com>;
>>>> Dr. Hemchandra C. Pradhan <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>; Nagarjuna G. <
>>>> nagarju...@gmail.com>; B Jagadeeshwar Rao <bj...@tifr.res.in>;
>>>> wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com; BIOLOGY
>>>> NETWORK <Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in>; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
>>>> bobby p m <bobb...@gmail.com>; jatinn...@gmail.com;
>>>> peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com; Ganesh Iyer <ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com>;
>>>> Indianacademy Socialsciences <issa...@gmail.com>; C. K. Raju <
>>>> c_k_r...@hotmail.com>; Padma Prakash <pa...@esocialsciences.com>
>>>> *Sent:* Sun, October 25, 2009 9:25:04 AM
>>>> *Subject:* GM food Minister gives time for us to act

>>>> Dear all,
>>>> Don't we want the choice: Between Knowingly devouring Genetically
>>>> Modified Brinjal (Bt Brinjal) and unknowingly gobbling it up?

>>>> The Env Minister Jairam Ramesh has given us more time to represent our
>>>> views before deciding either way! Folks, we need to understand and act.

>>>> Pushpa Bhargava ( Former CCMB director) who is a member of the GEAC
>>>> (Genetic Engg. Approval Committee) did not want the US multi-national
>>>> company-promoted Bt Brinjal to be approved. But the majority of the GEAC
>>>> recommended for approval.

>>>> The minister Jairam struck!

>>>> He said, he wants to hear from people who are going to eat it and face
>>>> the music, if any.

>>>> We have a special stake, folks: Aswati (our former student & Jenifer's
>>>> batch mate) who is finishing PhD in the US was the one small voice
>>>> challenging the lies and half truths perpetrated by the multinational
>>>> company, Monsanto and its Indian cohort Mahyco, (as early as in 2000)?! She
>>>> has at least two 'publications' on this!
>>>> Arunan

> I guess I am just not sure what or who you are referring to as the GM Food
> Minister and what you mean by "giving us time to act"...please forgive my
> ignorance, my field is human services and particularly community
> organizing.   Joyce McKnight

>             MC Arunan
>             <mcaru...@gmail.c
>             om>                                                        To
>             Sent by:                  sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com
>             wikieducator-teac                                          cc
>             her-collaboration         Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in,
>             -forum@googlegrou         "C. K. Raju"
>             ps.com                    <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>,
>                                       doc...@yahoo.com,
>                                       a_kal...@rediffmail.com,
>             10/29/2009 06:23          josegeor...@hotmail.com,
>             AM                        mhfule...@yahoo.com,
>                                       m.h.fule...@yahoo.com,
>                                       mfule...@vsnl.com,
>             Please respond to         yasmink...@hotmail.com,
>             wikieducator-teac         avarisinc...@yahoo.com,
>             her-collaboration         sheela.do...@xaviers.edu,
>             -forum@googlegrou         drdo...@mtnl.net.in,
>                  ps.com               dase...@rediffmail.com,
>                                       radiyapa...@gmail.com,
>                                       prof_prash...@rediffmail.com,
>                                       rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu,
>                                       pgk...@gmail.com, "H. C. Pradhan"
>                                       <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
>                                       nagarju...@gmail.com,
>                                       bj...@tifr.res.in,
>                                       wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
>                                       forum@googlegroups.com,
>                                       pravin_nay...@yahoo.com,
>                                       bobb...@gmail.com,
>                                       jatinn...@gmail.com,
>                                       peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com,
>                                       ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
>                                       Chaubey" <issa...@gmail.com>,
>                                       pa...@esocialsciences.com
>                                                                   Subject
>                                       [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
>                                       [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
>                                       [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
>                                        Minister  gives time for us to act

> Dear Viraj,
> What is the dire need? Bill Gates feels that GM food is the answer to
> Africa's famine problem. I shall try to cull out the article on this, I
> guess published recently in Scientific American, and post it.

> If you look at it, India had severe famine till we got Independence from
> the Imperial Britain. After Independence in  and definitely after we became
> the Repubic, we had no famine. Can you believe it? So is the question of
> starvation and semi starvation  of large section of people: it happens not
> because there is inadequate food stock, but because of inadequate food
> distribution mechanisms. So, the issue is not inadequate food production
> capacity; but the policy of food production and capacity utilization. It is
> not just a technical issue. It is clearly a policy issue! A great visionary
> like Bill Gates cannot be innocent of this!

> The GM food is a great business model. Period. It is not even a great
> technical model (Not adequate study as to its potential health hazards is
> conducted by independent scientists!).

> There is also this question of choice: why do not the proponents agree for
> labelling the GM food so that you and me have a choice, to avoid it if we
> so desire?

> There is a whole lot of  issues there. Thank the Minister who granted us
> time to represent. Represent,we should!

> MC Arunan

> MC Arunan, PhD
> Head, Brain Research & Cognitive Sciences Laboratory,
> Department of Life science, Sophia College for Women,
>  Bhulabhai Desai Road,
> Mumbai- 400 026, India.

> Phone: (College) 022-23512642
>             (Res.)      022-23512560

> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 2:01 AM, Viraj Torsekar <viraj.torse...@gmail.com>
> wrote:

>  Dear Sir,
>  Even I feel strongly about it. It makes sense to allow GM crops only if
>  there is a dire need for it and things cannot be handled otherwise.
>  So what can we do to oppose it or atleast pump some sense into it?

>  Viraj

>  On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:38 PM, MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com> wrote:

>        Thanks Sanjay for your reply.
>        I am sureRaju, this is the proper time for us to discuss on the GM
>        food issue. It will be too late, if we wait.

>        I hope, all those who are teaching genetic engineering from
>        undergraduate classes onwards, will use this opportunity
>        to initiate students into this controversy. That will be the ideal
>        pedagogic device.

>        e.g. what is the state of affairs in the European Union vis vis GM
>        food?
>        Over to you Raju.
>        Arunan

>        On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>
>        wrote:
>              Dear Arunan,

>              I think, to the contrary, we could blame them with our eyes
>              closed, given their past record, and we would have an
>              excellent chance of being right. And in the case of GM
>              foods, everyone knows what Monsanto has been doing in Canada,
>              so it is pointless asking for the Ramkatha to be repeated all
>              over again.  It is only the people who are sold out and tied
>              to some crumbs from the profit that these companies hope to
>              make (and we have many of them in India) that would have a
>              problem. If you look at issues historically, you immediately
>              see that it is through such traitors that India was
>              colonised, and is maintained in its current state of abject
>              dependence.

>              This is exactly why I have been focussing on the issue of
>              ethics of science: those science managers who give bad or
>              wrong advice in such cases of risky new technnlogy, should be
>              held responsible for the consequent damage, and should be
>              hanged at the very least. That should apply also to every
>              case of a drug which is first approved and later withdrawn
>              because of its side effects (and there are a large number of
>              such drugs).

>              Want to discuss the ethics of GM foods publicly anyone?

>              CKR

>              ================================
>              C. K. Raju, Ph.D.
>              Distinguished Professor & Director (Academic) Inmantec
>              &
>              Editorial Fellow, Centre for Studies in Civilizations
>              -------------------------------------
>              Res: B-56, Tarang Apartments
>              19, I. P. Extension
>              Delhi 110 092
>              Tel: 2272-6015
>              Fax: 2272-4533
>              web: http://ckraju.net
>              -------------------------------------
>              Find all the time in the world at
>              http://www.11PicsOfTime.com <http://www.11picsoftime.com/>

>              and an infinity of infinitesimals at
>              http://IndianCalculus.info <http://indiancalculus.info/>
>              ===================

>              Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:40:11 -0700
>              From: doc...@yahoo.com
>              Subject: Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
>              To: mcaru...@gmail.com; sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com;
>              a_kal...@rediffmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com
>              CC: mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com;
>              mfule...@vsnl.com; yasmink...@hotmail.com;
>              avarisinc...@yahoo.com; sheela.do...@xaviers.edu;
>              drdo...@mtnl.net.in; dase...@rediffmail.com;
>              radiyapa...@gmail.com; prof_prash...@rediffmail.com;
>              rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu; pgk...@gmail.com;
>              h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; nagarju...@gmail.com;
>              bj...@tifr.res.in;

> Really dumb question from a non-scientist...does GM mean genetically
> modified?    Joyce

>             MC Arunan
>             <mcaru...@gmail.c
>             om>                                                        To
>             Sent by:                  wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
>             wikieducator-teac         forum@googlegroups.com
>             her-collaboration                                          cc
>             -forum@googlegrou         avarisinc...@yahoo.com,
>             ps.com                    a_kal...@rediffmail.com,
>                                       Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in,
>                                       bj...@tifr.res.in,
>             10/29/2009 01:16          bobb...@gmail.com, "C. K. Raju"
>             PM                        <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>,
>                                       dase...@rediffmail.com,
>                                       doc...@yahoo.com,
>             Please respond to         drdo...@mtnl.net.in, "H. C.
>             wikieducator-teac         Pradhan" <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
>             her-collaboration         ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
>             -forum@googlegrou         Chaubey" <issa...@gmail.com>,
>                  ps.com               jatinn...@gmail.com,
>                                       josegeor...@hotmail.com,
>                                       mfule...@vsnl.com,
>                                       mhfule...@yahoo.com,
>                                       m.h.fule...@yahoo.com,
>                                       nagarju...@gmail.com,
>                                       pa...@esocialsciences.com,
>                                       peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com,
>                                       pgk...@gmail.com,
>                                       pravin_nay...@yahoo.com,
>                                       prof_prash...@rediffmail.com,
>                                       radiyapa...@gmail.com,
>                                       rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu,
>                                       sheela.do...@xaviers.edu,
>                                       sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com,
>                                       yasmink...@hotmail.com
>                                                                    Subject
>                                       [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
>                                       [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
>                                       [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
>                                       Minister gives time for us to act

> Dear Joyce McKnight,

> Extremely sorry to have referred to an Indian story without giving so much
> as an explanation to participants from the rest of the world. The GM
> industrial giants have been putting pressure on the Government of India for
> the introduction in India of the GM food, especially genetically modified
> brinjal (aubergine) to an unsuspecting public. The Genetic Engineering
> Approval Committee (India) has given consent though three veteran
> scientists led by Prof Pushpa Bhargava have given  dissenting note, citing
> inadequate studies on the deleterious effect on ingestion of these.

> The Minister for Environment fo the Government of India, Mr Jairam Ramesh
> has mercifully,  differed the decision and asked for representations by the
> public on this matter. Some of us are urging the academic and scientific
> community to make use of this opportunity to educate the public and to make
> representations. Inputs from the US and also from the European Union will
> be invaluable.

> MC Arunan

> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 7:52 PM, <Joyce.McKni...@esc.edu> wrote:

>  I guess I am just not sure what or who you are referring to as the GM
>  Food
>  Minister and what you mean by "giving us time to act"...please forgive my
>  ignorance, my field is human services and particularly community
>  organizing.   Joyce McKnight

>              MC Arunan
>              <mcaru...@gmail.c
>              om>                                                        To
>              Sent by:                  sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com
>              wikieducator-teac                                          cc
>              her-collaboration         Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in,
>              -forum@googlegrou         "C. K. Raju"
>              ps.com                    <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>,
>                                        doc...@yahoo.com,
>                                        a_kal...@rediffmail.com,
>              10/29/2009 06:23          josegeor...@hotmail.com,
>              AM                        mhfule...@yahoo.com,
>                                        m.h.fule...@yahoo.com,
>                                        mfule...@vsnl.com,
>              Please respond to         yasmink...@hotmail.com,
>              wikieducator-teac         avarisinc...@yahoo.com,
>              her-collaboration         sheela.do...@xaviers.edu,
>              -forum@googlegrou         drdo...@mtnl.net.in,
>                   ps.com               dase...@rediffmail.com,
>                                        radiyapa...@gmail.com,
>                                        prof_prash...@rediffmail.com,
>                                        rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu,
>                                        pgk...@gmail.com, "H. C. Pradhan"
>                                        <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
>                                        nagarju...@gmail.com,
>                                        bj...@tifr.res.in,
>                                        wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
>                                        forum@googlegroups.com,
>                                        pravin_nay...@yahoo.com,
>                                        bobb...@gmail.com,
>                                        jatinn...@gmail.com,
>                                        peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com,
>                                        ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
>                                        Chaubey" <issa...@gmail.com>,
>                                        pa...@esocialsciences.com
>                                                                    Subject
>                                        [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
>                                        [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
>                                        [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
>                                        Minister  gives time for us to act

>  Dear Viraj,
>  What is the dire need? Bill Gates feels that GM food is the answer to
>  Africa's famine problem. I shall try to cull out the article on this, I
>  guess published recently in Scientific American, and post it.

>  If you look at it, India had severe famine till we got Independence from
>  the Imperial Britain. After Independence in  and definitely after we
>  became
>  the Repubic, we had no famine. Can you believe it? So is the question of
>  starvation and semi starvation  of large section of people: it happens
>  not
>  because there is inadequate food stock, but because of inadequate food
>  distribution mechanisms. So, the issue is not inadequate food production
>  capacity; but the policy of food production and capacity utilization. It
>  is
>  not just a technical issue. It is clearly a policy issue! A great
>  visionary
>  like Bill Gates cannot be innocent of this!

>  The GM food is a great business model. Period. It is not even a great
>  technical model (Not adequate study as to its potential health hazards is
>  conducted by independent scientists!).

>  There is also this question of choice: why do not the proponents agree
>  for
>  labelling the GM food so that you and me have a choice, to avoid it if we
>  so desire?

>  There is a whole lot of  issues there. Thank the Minister who granted us
>  time to represent. Represent,we should!

>  MC Arunan

>  MC Arunan, PhD
>  Head, Brain Research & Cognitive Sciences Laboratory,
>  Department of Life science, Sophia College for Women,
>   Bhulabhai Desai Road,
>  Mumbai- 400 026, India.

>  Phone: (College) 022-23512642
>              (Res.)      022-23512560

>  On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 2:01 AM, Viraj Torsekar <viraj.torse...@gmail.com

>  wrote:

>   Dear Sir,
>   Even I feel strongly about it. It makes sense to allow GM crops only if
>   there is a dire need for it and things cannot be handled otherwise.
>   So what can we do to oppose it or atleast pump some sense into it?

>   Viraj

>   On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:38 PM, MC Arunan <mcaru...@gmail.com> wrote:

>         Thanks Sanjay for your reply.
>         I am sureRaju, this is the proper time for us to discuss on the GM
>         food issue. It will be too late, if we wait.

>         I hope, all those who are teaching genetic engineering from
>         undergraduate classes onwards, will use this opportunity
>         to initiate students into this controversy. That will be the ideal
>         pedagogic device.

>         e.g. what is the state of affairs in the European Union vis vis GM
>         food?
>         Over to you Raju.
>         Arunan

>         On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>
>         wrote:
>               Dear Arunan,

>               I think, to the contrary, we could blame them with our eyes
>               closed, given their past record, and we would have an
>               excellent chance of being right. And in the case of GM

>   On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:07 PM, <Joyce.McKni...@esc.edu> wrote:

>> Really dumb question from a non-scientist...does GM mean genetically
>> modified?    Joyce

>>             MC Arunan
>>             <mcaru...@gmail.c
>>             om>                                                        To
>>             Sent by:                  wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
>>             wikieducator-teac         forum@googlegroups.com
>>             her-collaboration                                          cc
>>             -forum@googlegrou         avarisinc...@yahoo.com,
>>             ps.com                    a_kal...@rediffmail.com,
>>                                       Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in,
>>                                       bj...@tifr.res.in,
>>             10/29/2009 01:16          bobb...@gmail.com, "C. K. Raju"
>>             PM                        <c_k_r...@hotmail.com>,
>>                                       dase...@rediffmail.com,
>>                                       doc...@yahoo.com,
>>             Please respond to         drdo...@mtnl.net.in, "H. C.
>>             wikieducator-teac         Pradhan" <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
>>             her-collaboration         ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
>>             -forum@googlegrou         Chaubey" <issa...@gmail.com>,
>>                  ps.com               jatinn...@gmail.com,
>>                                       josegeor...@hotmail.com,
>>                                       mfule...@vsnl.com,
>>                                       mhfule...@yahoo.com,
>>                                       m.h.fule...@yahoo.com,
>>                                       nagarju...@gmail.com,
>>                                       pa...@esocialsciences.com,
>>                                       peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com,
>>                                       pgk...@gmail.com,
>>                                       pravin_nay...@yahoo.com,
>>                                       prof_prash...@rediffmail.com,
>>                                       radiyapa...@gmail.com,
>>                                       rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu,
>>                                       sheela.do...@xaviers.edu,
>>                                       sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com,
>>                                       yasmink...@hotmail.com

>> Subject
>>                                       [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
>>                                       [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
>>                                       [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
>>                                       Minister gives time for us to act

>> Dear Joyce McKnight,

>> Extremely sorry to have referred to an Indian story without giving so much
>> as an explanation to participants from the rest of the world. The GM
>> industrial giants have been putting pressure on the Government of India
>> for
>> the introduction in India of the GM food, especially genetically modified
>> brinjal (aubergine) to an unsuspecting public. The Genetic Engineering
>> Approval Committee (India) has given consent though three veteran
>> scientists led by Prof Pushpa Bhargava have given  dissenting note, citing
>> inadequate studies on the deleterious effect on ingestion of these.

>> The Minister for Environment fo the Government of India, Mr Jairam Ramesh
>> has mercifully,  differed the decision and asked for representations by
>> the
>> public on this matter. Some of us are urging the academic and scientific
>> community to make use of this opportunity to educate the public and to
>> make
>> representations. Inputs from the US and also from the European Union will
>> be invaluable.

>> MC Arunan

>> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 7:52 PM, <Joyce.McKni...@esc.edu> wrote:

>>  I guess I am just not sure what or who you are referring to as the GM
>>  Food
>>  Minister and what you mean by "giving us time to act"...please forgive my
>>  ignorance, my field is human services and particularly community
>>  organizing.   Joyce McKnight

>>              MC Arunan
>>              <mcaru...@gmail.c
>>              om>                                                        To
>>              Sent by:                  sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com
>>              wikieducator-teac                                          cc
>>              her-collaboration        

> The Kerala government has taken an excellent stand! To this we only need to
> add a few points, the most important of which is the following.

> Given the risky nature of the GM technology, we do NOT want to go by what I
> have called "expert raj". It is NOT enough to appoint a panel
> of "experts" who will sign on the dotted line and declare the technology to
> be safe. The experts need to (a) justify their decisions/recommendations in
> a completely open and transparent way, (b) defend those
> recommendations publicly, and (c) accept responsibility if things go wrong
> (including full criminal liability if things go terribly wrong).

> Moreover, the appointments of the "experts" itself needs to be
> justified---we cannot accept the same old science managers who appear in all
> committees on all topics  lifelong. The appointments of the experts also
> needs to be made in a completely transparent way, with a complete
> declaration of all linkages past and future that the "experts" (or their
> families) might have with the companies promoting the technology, and with
> the appointing authority, and there should be a clear and public
> demonstration of their actual scientific (as opposed to administrative)
> expertise. In general, those holding administrative positions should be
> prima facie disqualified, since they have less time to pursue scientific
> matters (irrespective of the number of joint papers they claim to have
> authored along with their students).

> These are all matters which are broadly covered under the rubric of "ethics
> of science"; indeed these issues were mentioned in the draft prepared for
> the symposium on ethics of science for the previous ISSA meet.

> Therefore, the logical next step would be for all concerned in this matter
> of GM foods (and all ought to be concerned) to participate in the follow-up
> international meet on ethics of science being planned by ISSA.

> All best,

> C. K. Raju

> ------------------------------
> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 20:06:50 +0530
> Subject: Re: [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re: [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
> [Biology_Network] Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
> From: mcaru...@gmail.com
> To: wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com
> CC: avarisinc...@yahoo.com; a_kal...@rediffmail.com;
> Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in; bj...@tifr.res.in; bobb...@gmail.com;
> c_k_r...@hotmail.com; dase...@rediffmail.com; doc...@yahoo.com;
> drdo...@mtnl.net.in; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com;
> issa...@gmail.com; jatinn...@gmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com;
> mfule...@vsnl.com; mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com;
> nagarju...@gmail.com; pa...@esocialsciences.com;
> peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com; pgk...@gmail.com; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com; radiyapa...@gmail.com;
> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu; sheela.do...@xaviers.edu;
> sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com; yasmink...@hotmail.com

> Dear all,
> áHere is new input sent by a friendá Anuradha Kalhan on the GM food front
> in India: The Chief Minister of the southern state, Kerala has aked the
> Prime Minister of India not to allow any experiments with GM food within the
> boundaries of Kerala!
> á
> Please read on:áá

> *Kerala rejects GM: CM urges PM not go ahead*
> South Asia Post, Issue 98 Vol IV, October 31, 2009
> ááááááááááááááááááááááááá
> Shri. Manmohan Singh,
> Honourable Prime Minister of India,
> South Block, New Delhi.
> á
> Greetings from the `God's own country'.
> á
> I am addressing an important issue here - the introduction of GM crops and
> food in the State as well as in the country. I understand our stand on the
> GM crops and foods was already made very clear to the Union Agriculture
> Minister, Shri. SaradáPawar, and to your kind self, by our Agriculture
> Minister, Shri . Mullakara Ratnakaran and the Chairman of the Kerala State
> Biodiversity Board, Dr. V. S. Vijayan respectively. We are concerned about
> the introduction of the GMáácrops into the State. We had conducted a
> national workshop on the desirability of the GM crops sometime in April 2008
> and, at the end of the two day workshop, it had come out with a unanimous
> resolution that the GM crops and foods should not be allowed in the State
> and, the resolution further says that we should also try to impress upon the
> Union Government in banning the GM in theáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá
> country. A copy of the resolution is enclosed herewith for your ready
> reference.
> May I reiterate that the Kerala State has already taken a policy decision
> not to allow GM crops, even for trials, until the debate on the issue of GM
> that is going on the world over is settled forever. We are convinced with
> the availableáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá information that:
> á
> á

> (a) GM crops are not economically viable for the farmers,
> (b) GM crops and foods lead to unimaginable health hazards,
> (c) GM crops contaminate the local and wild varieties, the damages of which
> are irrevocable and, such contamination of our traditional varieties cause
> irreparable damage to food security of the country
> (d) GM denies the farmers right to choose what he wants to sow in his own
> farm, and ultimately,
> (e) The country's sovereignty over food and agriculture will be endangered.
> á
> Moreover, we are convinced that the Genetic Modification of crops is not a
> solution for hunger as has been wrongly advocated by the proponents
> ofáááááááááá the GM, because the genetic modification is done not to
> increase the productivity, but to control the insect pests or the weeds. I
> am sure, you would agree with me that there are several cheaper and
> environment-friendly options to control theáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá
> pests and weeds.
> á
> It may also be noted the Task Force on Application of Biotechnology on
> Agriculture headed by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan is unambiguous that
> theááááááááááá mega-diversity centres and biodiversity hotspots like Western
> Ghats shall be kept free of any GM experiments/ crops.
> áááááááááááááááááááááááá
> The Task Force report further recommends that even the transgenic research
> should not be undertaken in crops/commodities where our international
> tradeááwill be affected. In this context, you may please note that Kerala is
> a State heavily depended on international market for its agricultural
> commodities. Anyá contamination from genetic modification can cause further
> damage in the trade prospects of the State.
> á
> Kerala is also an important centre of diversity of medicinal plants and
> heritage of traditional medicines like ayurveda. Serious concern has already
> been expressed by the Ayurveda practitioners on GM research being undertaken
> onáá various crops. You would be delighted to note that the State
> hasáááalready declared an Organic Farming Policy, Strategy and Action Plan
> in 2008. Accordingly, the entire food crops would be converted to
> organicáááwithin five years and the cash crops within another five years.
> This will, apart from helping to feed the people with non-poisoned food,
> enhance our export possibilities with a high premium. However, introduction
> of GM crops will certainlyááááádefeat the very purpose of organic farming,
> because GM crops/foods are more disastrous than those from crops raised
> using chemical pesticides and fertilisers. It would also kill the State's
> trade prospects.ááááá
> Considering all these, the Government of Kerala has taken a decision to
> prohibit all environmental release of GMOs and keep the State totally
> GMááfree. We would also request the Honourable Prime Minister to reconsider
> the policy on GM in the national scale and declare a moratorium at least for
> the next 50 years, so that we could learn the desirability of GM from other
> countries where itááis being practised in large

> Apparently there was a question raised by Prof Sanjay Deshmukh of Mumbai
> University (India) which  I had missed earlier. It, undoubtedly,  calls for
> some serious discussion, though.

>  It was :* Does anybody know whether the States who took the initiative in
> conducting first trials of GM Crops in India, experienced Environment
> related problem?*

> A short answer to such a question is:
>  since the possibilities for environmental and other problems exist (as is
> evident from scientific reasoning and also  from past experience in the west
> where it was attempted, earlier) and that environmental problems manifest
> many times with a time lag and when it occurs, it palys havoc irreversibly
> on the environment, (even) *to err on the side of caution* will be an
> ideal position, to start with.

> The promoters of the this business plan (GM Food) has to answer all these
> doubts on the part of the average citizen (leave alone scientists like
> P.M.Bhargava in this instance) before going ahead with such adventurous
> practices even though it looks eminently feasible from a financial point of
> view.

>  That is where the greatest challenges of Environmental Biologists lie: to
> be conversant with issues from technical as well  policy matters with an
> understanding and concern for People and  not Profit, Bill Gates'
> humanitarian intentions notwithstanding.

> MC Arunan

> MC Arunan, PhD

> (Biology Network)

> Head, Brain Research & Cognitive Sciences Laboratory,

> Department of Life science, Sophia College for Women,

>  Bhulabhai Desai Road,

> Mumbai- 400 026, India.

> Phone: (College) 022-23512642

>             (Res.)      022-23512560

>   On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 9:14 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_r...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> Dear Arunan,

>> The Kerala government has taken an excellent stand! To this we only need
>> to add a few points, the most important of which is the following.

>> Given the risky nature of the GM technology, we do NOT want to go by what
>> I have called "expert raj". It is NOT enough to appoint a panel
>> of "experts" who will sign on the dotted line and declare the technology to
>> be safe. The experts need to (a) justify their decisions/recommendations in
>> a completely open and transparent way, (b) defend those
>> recommendations publicly, and (c) accept responsibility if things go wrong
>> (including full criminal liability if things go terribly wrong).

>> Moreover, the appointments of the "experts" itself needs to be
>> justified---we cannot accept the same old science managers who appear in all
>> committees on all topics  lifelong. The appointments of the experts also
>> needs to be made in a completely transparent way, with a complete
>> declaration of all linkages past and future that the "experts" (or their
>> families) might have with the companies promoting the technology, and with
>> the appointing authority, and there should be a clear and public
>> demonstration of their actual scientific (as opposed to administrative)
>> expertise. In general, those holding administrative positions should be
>> prima facie disqualified, since they have less time to pursue scientific
>> matters (irrespective of the number of joint papers they claim to have
>> authored along with their students).

>> These are all matters which are broadly covered under the rubric
>> of "ethics of science"; indeed these issues were mentioned in the draft
>> prepared for the symposium on ethics of science for the previous ISSA meet.

>> Therefore, the logical next step would be for all concerned in this matter
>> of GM foods (and all ought to be concerned) to participate in the follow-up
>> international meet on ethics of science being planned by ISSA.

>> All best,

>> C. K. Raju

>> ------------------------------
>> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 20:06:50 +0530
>> Subject: Re: [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re: [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
>> [Biology_Network] Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
>> From: mcaru...@gmail.com
>> To: wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-forum@googlegroups.com
>> CC: avarisinc...@yahoo.com; a_kal...@rediffmail.com;
>> Biology_Netw...@yahoogroups.co.in; bj...@tifr.res.in; bobb...@gmail.com;
>> c_k_r...@hotmail.com; dase...@rediffmail.com; doc...@yahoo.com;
>> drdo...@mtnl.net.in; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; ipomoeabil...@yahoo.com;
>> issa...@gmail.com; jatinn...@gmail.com; josegeor...@hotmail.com;
>> mfule...@vsnl.com; mhfule...@yahoo.com; m.h.fule...@yahoo.com;
>> nagarju...@gmail.com; pa...@esocialsciences.com;
>> peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com; pgk...@gmail.com; pravin_nay...@yahoo.com;
>> prof_prash...@rediffmail.com; radiyapa...@gmail.com;
>> rajendra.shi...@xaviers.edu; sheela.do...@xaviers.edu;
>> sophia_lscgr...@yahoogroups.com; yasmink...@hotmail.com

>> Dear all,
>> áHere is new input sent by a friendá Anuradha Kalhan on the GM food front
>> in India: The Chief Minister of the southern state, Kerala has aked the
>> Prime Minister of India not to allow any experiments with GM food within the
>> boundaries of Kerala!
>> á
>> Please read on:áá

>> *Kerala rejects GM: CM urges PM not go ahead*
>> South Asia Post, Issue 98 Vol IV, October 31, 2009
>> ááááááááááááááááááááááááá
>> Shri. Manmohan Singh,
>> Honourable Prime Minister of India,
>> South Block, New Delhi.
>> á
>> Greetings from the `God's own country'.
>> á
>> I am addressing an important issue here - the introduction of GM crops and
>> food in the State as well as in the country. I understand our stand on the
>> GM crops and foods was already made very clear to the Union Agriculture
>> Minister, Shri. SaradáPawar, and to your kind self, by our Agriculture
>> Minister, Shri . Mullakara Ratnakaran and the Chairman of the Kerala State
>> Biodiversity Board, Dr. V. S. Vijayan respectively. We are concerned about
>> the introduction of the GMáácrops into the State. We had conducted a
>> national workshop on the desirability of the GM crops sometime in April 2008
>> and, at the end of the two day workshop, it had come out with a unanimous
>> resolution that the GM crops and foods should not be allowed in the State
>> and, the resolution further says that we should also try to impress upon the
>> Union Government in banning the GM in theáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá
>> country. A copy of the resolution is enclosed herewith for your ready
>> reference.
>> May I reiterate that the Kerala State has already taken a policy decision
>> not to allow GM crops, even for trials, until the debate on the issue of GM
>> that is going on the world over is settled forever. We are convinced with
>> the availableáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá information that:
>> á
>> á

>> (a) GM crops are not economically viable for the farmers,
>> (b) GM crops and foods lead to unimaginable health hazards,
>> (c) GM crops contaminate the local and wild varieties, the damages of
>> which are irrevocable and, such contamination of our traditional varieties
>> cause irreparable damage to food security of the country
>> (d) GM denies the farmers right to choose what he wants to sow in his own
>> farm, and ultimately,
>> (e) The country's sovereignty over food and agriculture will be
>> endangered.
>> á
>> Moreover, we are convinced that the Genetic Modification of crops is not a
>> solution for hunger as has been wrongly advocated by the proponents
>> ofáááááááááá the GM, because the genetic modification is done not to
>> increase the productivity, but to control the insect pests or the weeds. I
>> am sure, you would agree with me that there are several cheaper and
>> environment-friendly options to control theáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá
>> pests and weeds.
>> á
>> It may also be noted the Task Forc