GM food Minister gives time for us to act

[MC Arunan]

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

 

 

[MC Arunan]

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_...@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  

and an infinity of infinitesimals at
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: mcar...@gmail.com; sophia_...@yahoogroups.com; a_ka...@rediffmail.com; joseg...@hotmail.com
CC: mhfu...@yahoo.com; m.h.f...@yahoo.com; mful...@vsnl.com; yasmi...@hotmail.com; avaris...@yahoo.com; sheela...@xaviers.edu; drd...@mtnl.net.in; das...@rediffmail.com; radiy...@gmail.com; prof_p...@rediffmail.com; rajendr...@xaviers.edu; pgk...@gmail.com; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; nagar...@gmail.com; bj...@tifr.res.in; wikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com; Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in; pravin...@yahoo.com; bob...@gmail.com; jati...@gmail.com; peace-...@googlegroups.com; ipomoe...@yahoo.com; iss...@gmail.com; c_k_...@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         

sanjayd...@lifesciences.mu.ac.in E-mail (work)

doc...@yahoo.com E-mail (personal)
http://www.mu.ac.in Website

---

From: MC Arunan <mcar...@gmail.com>
To: lsc sophia <sophia_...@yahoogroups.com>; Anuradha Kalhan <a_ka...@rediffmail.com>; Jose george <joseg...@hotmail.com>
Cc: sanjay Deshmukh <doc...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <mhfu...@yahoo.com>; Dr. Fulekar <m.h.f...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <mful...@vsnl.com>; yasmin <yasmi...@hotmail.com>; yasmina avari <avaris...@yahoo.com>; Sheela Donde <sheela...@xaviers.edu>; Sheila donde <drd...@mtnl.net.in>; Seema Das <das...@rediffmail.com>; Radiya Pacha Gupta <radiy...@gmail.com>; prashant <prof_p...@rediffmail.com>; Rajendra Shinde <rajendr...@xaviers.edu>; purushottam g kale <pgk...@gmail.com>; Dr. Hemchandra C. Pradhan <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>; Nagarjuna G. <nagar...@gmail.com>; B Jagadeeshwar Rao <bj...@tifr.res.in>; wikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com; BIOLOGY NETWORK <Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in>; pravin...@yahoo.com; bobby p m <bob...@gmail.com>; jati...@gmail.com; peace-...@googlegroups.com; Ganesh Iyer <ipomoe...@yahoo.com>; Indianacademy Socialsciences <iss...@gmail.com>; C. K. Raju <c_k_...@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

[MC Arunan]

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.t...@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

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[Joyce.M...@esc.edu]

For what it is worth I totally agree that it is about distribution, not
about production. It frightens me that large companies are gaining a
corner on the world's food supplies. Dr. Joyce McKnight, SUNY Empire
State College (US)



MC Arunan
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Minister gives time for us to act

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[Joyce.M...@esc.edu]

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

[Biology_Network] Re: GM food

Minister gives time for us to act

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[MC Arunan]

Dear all,

Here is a message from Joyce McKnight, SUNY, Empire State College.  Hope to hear more from her on the GM food blitzkrieg!

MC Arunan

Hello:  I was following the conversation on wikieducator about the real
causes of famine and agree that food distribution rather than food
production is the issue.   It worries me to see that large industrial
interests are cornering food production and pushing genetically altered
seeds etc. as I think such a monopoly is even more dangerous than the
fossil fuel energy monopoly we now have.   At any rate, I wanted to join
the discussion but when I tried to repy, google groups threw me out.  I
wonder what I am doing wrong.  

  Joyce McKnight,  SUNY Empire State College
(US)

[MC Arunan]

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

[Joyce.M...@esc.edu]

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

MC Arunan
<mcarunan@gmail.c
om> To

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wikieducator-teac Pradhan" <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
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[MC Arunan]

Yes.

MC Arunan

[Alain NJUNKIO]

Bien vouloir me désabonner à votre site car vos messages encombrent ma boîte Merci de votre bonne compréhension --- En date de : Jeu 29.10.09, MC Arunan <mcar...@gmail.com> a écrit :

[Bruno barthes]

Hello , I would like to be unsigned from your mailing list

Thank you in advance,

---

Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 01:32:32 -0800
From: nju...@yahoo.fr
Subject: Re : [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re: [sophia_lscgroup] Re: [Biology_Network] Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
To: wikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com

---

Novo Windows 7. Você vai achar que nasceu sabendo! Clique e conheça.

[MC Arunan]

Dear all,

 Here is new input sent by a friend  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!

 

Please read on:  

Kerala rejects GM: CM urges PM not go ahead
South Asia Post, Issue 98 Vol IV, October 31, 2009
                         
Shri. Manmohan Singh,
Honourable Prime Minister of India,
South Block, New Delhi.
 
Greetings from the `God's own country'.
 
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. Sarad Pawar, 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 GM  crops 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 the                               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 available                               information that:
 
 
(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.
 
Moreover, we are convinced that the Genetic Modification of crops is not a solution for hunger as has been wrongly advocated by the proponents of           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 the                               pests and weeds.
 
It may also be noted the Task Force on Application of Biotechnology on Agriculture headed by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan is unambiguous that the            mega-diversity centres and biodiversity hotspots like Western Ghats shall be kept free of any GM experiments/ crops.
                        
The Task Force report further recommends that even the transgenic research should not be undertaken in crops/commodities where our international trade  will be affected. In this context, you may please note that Kerala is a State heavily depended on international market for its agricultural commodities. Any  contamination from genetic modification can cause further damage in the trade prospects of the State.
 
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 on   various crops. You would be delighted to note that the State has   already declared an Organic Farming Policy, Strategy and Action Plan in 2008. Accordingly, the entire food crops would be converted to organic   within 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 certainly     defeat 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.     

Considering all these, the Government of Kerala has taken a decision to prohibit all environmental release of GMOs and keep the State totally GM  free. 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 it  is being practised in large scale.
 
We would urge the Central Government to respect the well informed decision of the State Government and issue necessary orders to all concerned  Ministries not to permit any GM research or release of GMOs within the boundaries of the State. Such an order from the Union Government will further strengthen the federal fabric of our nation as enshrined in the constitution.
 
With kind regards
Yours sincerely,
V. S. Achuthanandhan
 
Copy to: Ministry of: Environment and Forests;
Agriculture and Cooperation; Science and Technology; Health and Family Welfare; and Department of Biotechnology
 

[Satvinder Dhillon]

Dear Mr. Arunan,
Ofcourse we want the choice! We "definitely
don't want" to eat genetically modified brinjal (or genetically
modified anything else also ).I hope our voice is heard.

Kind regards,

Dr. S. K. Dhillon

[MC Arunan]

Dear all,

 

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_...@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: mcar...@gmail.com
To: wikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com
CC: avaris...@yahoo.com; a_ka...@rediffmail.com; Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in; bj...@tifr.res.in; bob...@gmail.com; c_k_...@hotmail.com; das...@rediffmail.com; doc...@yahoo.com; drd...@mtnl.net.in; h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; ipomoe...@yahoo.com; iss...@gmail.com; jati...@gmail.com; joseg...@hotmail.com; mful...@vsnl.com; mhfu...@yahoo.com; m.h.f...@yahoo.com; nagar...@gmail.com; pa...@esocialsciences.com; peace-...@googlegroups.com; pgk...@gmail.com; pravin...@yahoo.com; prof_p...@rediffmail.com; radiy...@gmail.com; rajendr...@xaviers.edu; sheela...@xaviers.edu; sophia_...@yahoogroups.com; yasmi...@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 scale.
á
We would urge the Central Government to respect the well informed decision of the State Government and issue necessary orders to all concernedá Ministries not to permit any GM research or release of GMOs within the boundaries of the State. Such an order from the Union Government will further strengthen the federal fabric of our nation as enshrined in the constitution.

á

With kind regards
Yours sincerely,
V. S. Achuthanandhan

á

Copy to: Ministry of: Environment and Forests;
Agriculture and Cooperation; Science and Technology; Health and Family Welfare; and Department of Biotechnology

á

á

On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:13 PM, MC Arunan <mcar...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yes.

MC Arunan

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

Really dumb question from a non-scientist...does GM mean genetically

modified? á áJoyce

á á á á á á MC Arunan
á á á á á á <mcarunan@gmail.c
á á á á á á om> á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á áTo

á á á á á á Sent by: á á á á á á á á áwikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
á á á á á á wikieducator-teac á á á á fo...@googlegroups.com
á á á á á á her-collaboration á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á ácc
á á á á á á -forum@googlegrou á á á á avaris...@yahoo.com,
á á á á á á ps.com á á á á á á á á á áa_ka...@rediffmail.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á bj...@tifr.res.in,
á á á á á á 10/29/2009 01:16 á á á á ábob...@gmail.com, "C. K. Raju"
á á á á á á PM á á á á á á á á á á á á<c_k_...@hotmail.com>,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á das...@rediffmail.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á doc...@yahoo.com,

á á á á á á Please respond to á á á á drd...@mtnl.net.in, "H. C.
á á á á á á wikieducator-teac á á á á Pradhan" <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
á á á á á á her-collaboration á á á á ipomoe...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
á á á á á á -forum@googlegrou á á á á Chaubey" <iss...@gmail.com>,
á á á á á á á á áps.com á á á á á á á jati...@gmail.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á joseg...@hotmail.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á mful...@vsnl.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á mhfu...@yahoo.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á m.h.f...@yahoo.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á nagar...@gmail.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pa...@esocialsciences.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á peace-...@googlegroups.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pgk...@gmail.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pravin...@yahoo.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á prof_p...@rediffmail.com,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á radiy...@gmail.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á rajendr...@xaviers.edu,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á sheela...@xaviers.edu,
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á sophia_...@yahoogroups.com,

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á yasmi...@hotmail.com

á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á Subject
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á 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)áhas given consent though three veteran
scientists led by Prof Pushpa Bhargava have givená 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, ádiffered 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.M...@esc.edu> wrote:

áI guess I am just not sure what or who you are referring to as the GM
áFood
áMinister and what you mean by "giving us time to act"...please forgive my
áignorance, my field is human services and particularly community
áorganizing. á Joyce McKnight



áá á á á á á MC Arunan
áá á á á á á <mcarunan@gmail.c
áá á á á á á om> á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á áTo
áá á á á á á Sent by: á á á á á á á á ásophia_...@yahoogroups.com
áá á á á á á wikieducator-teac á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á ácc
áá á á á á á her-collaboration á á á á Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in,
áá á á á á á -forum@googlegrou á á á á "C. K. Raju"
áá á á á á á ps.com á á á á á á á á á á<c_k_...@hotmail.com>,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á doc...@yahoo.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á a_ka...@rediffmail.com,
áá á á á á á 10/29/2009 06:23 á á á á ájoseg...@hotmail.com,
áá á á á á á AM á á á á á á á á á á á ámhfu...@yahoo.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á m.h.f...@yahoo.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á mful...@vsnl.com,
áá á á á á á Please respond to á á á á yasmi...@hotmail.com,
áá á á á á á wikieducator-teac á á á á avaris...@yahoo.com,
áá á á á á á her-collaboration á á á á sheela...@xaviers.edu,
áá á á á á á -forum@googlegrou á á á á drd...@mtnl.net.in,
áá á á á á á á á áps.com á á á á á á á das...@rediffmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á radiy...@gmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á prof_p...@rediffmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á rajendr...@xaviers.edu,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pgk...@gmail.com, "H. C. Pradhan"
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á <h...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á nagar...@gmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á bj...@tifr.res.in,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á wikieducator-teacher-collaboration-
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á fo...@googlegroups.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pravin...@yahoo.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á bob...@gmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á jati...@gmail.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á peace-...@googlegroups.com,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á ipomoe...@yahoo.com, "N. P.
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á Chaubey" <iss...@gmail.com>,
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á pa...@esocialsciences.com
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á Subject
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [WE Teacher Collaboration] Re:
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [sophia_lscgroup] Re:
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á [Biology_Network] Re: GM food
áá á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á á Minister ágives time for us to act










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

áIf you look at it, India had severe famine till we got Independence from
áthe Imperial Britain. After Independence iná and definitely after we
ábecame
áthe Repubic, we had no famine. Can you believe it?áSo is the question of
ástarvation and semi starvationá of large section of people: it happens
ánot
ábecause there is inadequate food stock, but because of inadequate food
ádistribution mechanisms. So, the issue is not inadequate food production
ácapacity; but the policy of food production and capacity utilization. It
áis
ánot just a technical issue. It is clearly a policy issue! A great
ávisionary
álike Bill Gates cannot be innocent of this!

áThe GM food is a great business model. Period.áIt is not even a great
átechnical model (Not adequate study as to its potential health hazards is
áconducted by independent scientists!).

áThere is also this question of choice: why do not the proponentsáagree
áfor
álabelling the GM food so that you and me have a choice, to avoid it if we
áso desire?

áThere is a whole lot ofá issues there. Thank the Minister who granted us
átime to represent. Represent,we should!

áMC Arunan

áMC Arunan,áPhD
áHead, Brain Research & Cognitive Sciences Laboratory,
áDepartment of Life science, Sophia College for Women,
ááBhulabhai Desai Road,
áMumbai- 400 026, India.

áPhone: (College)á022-23512642
áááááááááááá (Res.)áááá á022-23512560








áOn Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 2:01 AM, Viraj Torsekar <viraj.t...@gmail.com
á>
áwrote:

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

ááViraj



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



áá á á áThanks Sanjay for your reply.
áá á á áI am sureRaju, this is the proper time for us to discuss on the GM
áá á á áfood issue. It will be too late, if we wait.

áá á á áI hope, all those who are teaching genetic engineering from
áá á á áundergraduate classes onwards, will use this opportunity
áá á á átoáinitiate students into this controversy. That will be the ideal
áá á á ápedagogic device.

áá á á áe.g. what is the state of affairs in the European Union vis vis GM
áá á á áfood?
áá á á áOver to you Raju.
áá á á áArunan



áá á á áOn Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM, C. K. Raju <c_k_...@hotmail.com>
áá á á áwrote:
áá á á á á á áDear Arunan,

áá á á á á á áI think, to the contrary,áwe could blame them with our eyes
áá á á á á á áclosed, given their past record, and we would have an
áá á á á á á áexcellent chance of being right.áAnd in the case of GM
áá á á á á á áfoods,áeveryone knows what Monsanto has been doing in
áCanada,
áá á á á á á áso it is pointless asking for the Ramkatha to be repeated
áall
áá á á á á á áover again. áIt is only the people who are sold out and tied
áá á á á á á áto some crumbs from the profit that these companies hope to
áá á á á á á ámake (and we have many of them in India) that would have a
áá á á á á á áproblem. If you look at issues historically, you immediately
áá á á á á á ásee that it is through such traitors that India was
áá á á á á á ácolonised, and is maintained in its current state of abject
áá á á á á á ádependence.

áá á á á á á áThis is exactly why I have been focussing on the issue of
áá á á á á á áethics of science: those science managers who give bad or
áá á á á á á áwrongáadvice in such cases of risky new technnlogy, should
ábe
áá á á á á á áheld responsible for the consequent damage, and should be
áá á á á á á áhanged at the very least. That should apply also to every
áá á á á á á ácase of a drug which is first approved and later withdrawn
áá á á á á á ábecause of its side effects (and there are a large number of
áá á á á á á ásuch drugs).

áá á á á á á áWant to discuss the ethics of GM foods publiclyáanyone?

áá á á á á á áCKR





áá á á á á á á================================
áá á á á á á áC. K. Raju, Ph.D.
áá á á á á á áDistinguished Professor & Director (Academic) Inmantec
áá á á á á á á&
áá á á á á á áEditorial Fellow, Centre for Studies in Civilizations
áá á á á á á á-------------------------------------
áá á á á á á áRes: B-56, Tarang Apartments
áá á á á á á á19, I. P. Extension
áá á á á á á áDelhi 110 092
áá á á á á á áTel: 2272-6015
áá á á á á á áFax: 2272-4533
áá á á á á á áweb: http://ckraju.net
áá á á á á á á-------------------------------------
áá á á á á á áFind all the time in the world at
áá á á á á á áhttp://www.11PicsOfTime.com

áá á á á á á áand an infinity of infinitesimals at
áá á á á á á áhttp://IndianCalculus.info
áá á á á á á á===================




áá á á á á á áDate: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:40:11 -0700
áá á á á á á áFrom: doc...@yahoo.com
áá á á á á á áSubject: Re: GM food Minister gives time for us to act
áá á á á á á áTo: mcar...@gmail.com; sophia_...@yahoogroups.com;
áá á á á á á áa_ka...@rediffmail.com; joseg...@hotmail.com
áá á á á á á áCC: mhfu...@yahoo.com; m.h.f...@yahoo.com;
áá á á á á á ámful...@vsnl.com; yasmi...@hotmail.com;
áá á á á á á áavaris...@yahoo.com; sheela...@xaviers.edu;
áá á á á á á ádrd...@mtnl.net.in; das...@rediffmail.com;
áá á á á á á áradiy...@gmail.com; prof_p...@rediffmail.com;
áá á á á á á árajendr...@xaviers.edu; pgk...@gmail.com;
áá á á á á á áh...@hbcse.tifr.res.in; nagar...@gmail.com;
áá á á á á á ábj...@tifr.res.in;
áá á á á á á áwikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com;
áá á á á á á áBiology...@yahoogroups.co.in; pravin...@yahoo.com;
áá á á á á á ábob...@gmail.com; jati...@gmail.com;
áá á á á á á ápeace-...@googlegroups.com; ipomoe...@yahoo.com;
áá á á á á á áiss...@gmail.com; c_k_...@hotmail.com;
áá á á á á á ápa...@esocialsciences.com


áá á á á á á áDear Sir,
áá á á á á á áIt would be too ambitiousáto blame anyone (whether US or
áá á á á á á áIndian Companies) without looking atáthe nitigrities of the
áá á á á á á áissue.

áá á á á á á áI am sure, we can discuss this at length and probably share
áá á á á á á ásome of the recent policy documents on the Subject (some of
áá á á á á á áus may have access to the same) before comingáreaching
áá á á á á á áconclusion.

áá á á á á á áSincerely,

áá á á á á á áSANJAY

á***************************************************************************************


áá á á á á á áSanjay V. Deshmukh, PhD [LEAD Fellow (INDIA) - Cohort 11]
áá á á á á á áProfessor & Head, University Department of Life Sciences AND
áá á á á á á áCoordinator -áRatnagiri Sub-Centre
áá á á á á á áUniversity of Mumbai (BOMBAY)
áá á á á á á áVidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400098, INDIA.
áá á á á á á á+ 91 22 2652 7950-58 (ext. 666): Tel. (work)
áá á á á á á á+ 91 22 2652 8822 Tel. (work -direct)
áá á á á á á á+ 91 22 2652 6053 Fax. (work)
áá á á á á á á+ 91 9820 095 085 Cell
áá á á á á á ásanjayd...@lifesciences.mu.ac.ináE-mail (work)
áá á á á á á ádoc...@yahoo.com E-mailá(personal)
áá á á á á á áhttp://www.mu.ac.ináWebsite


áá á á á á á áFrom: MC Arunan <mcar...@gmail.com>
áá á á á á á áTo: lsc sophia <sophia_...@yahoogroups.com>; Anuradha
áá á á á á á áKalhan <a_ka...@rediffmail.com>; Jose george <
áá á á á á á ájoseg...@hotmail.com>
áá á á á á á áCc: sanjay Deshmukh <doc...@yahoo.com>; Dr. M.H. Fulekar <
áá á á á á á ámhfu...@yahoo.com>; Dr. Fulekar <m.h.f...@yahoo.com>;
áá á á á á á áDr. M.H. Fulekar <mful...@vsnl.com>; yasmin <
áá á á á á á áyasmi...@hotmail.com>; yasmina avari <
áá á á á á á áavaris...@yahoo.com>; Sheela Donde <
áá á á á á á ásheela...@xaviers.edu>; Sheila donde <drd...@mtnl.net.in
áá á á á á á á>; Seema Das <das...@rediffmail.com>; Radiya Pacha Gupta <
áá á á á á á áradiy...@gmail.com>; prashant <
áá á á á á á áprof_p...@rediffmail.com>; Rajendra Shinde <
áá á á á á á árajendr...@xaviers.edu>; purushottam g kale <
áá á á á á á ápgk...@gmail.com>; Dr. Hemchandra C. Pradhan <
áá á á á á á áh...@hbcse.tifr.res.in>; Nagarjuna G. <nagar...@gmail.com>;
áá á á á á á áB Jagadeeshwar Rao <bj...@tifr.res.in>;
áá á á á á á áwikieducator-teacher...@googlegroups.com;
áá á á á á á áBIOLOGY NETWORK <Biology...@yahoogroups.co.in>;
áá á á á á á ápravin...@yahoo.com; bobby p m <bob...@gmail.com>;
áá á á á á á ájati...@gmail.com; peace-...@googlegroups.com; Ganesh
áá á á á á á áIyer <ipomoe...@yahoo.com>; Indianacademy Socialsciences
áá á á á á á á<iss...@gmail.com>; C. K. Raju <c_k_...@hotmail.com>;
áPadma
áá á á á á á áPrakash <pa...@esocialsciences.com>
áá á á á á á áSent: Sun, October 25, 2009 9:25:04 AM
áá á á á á á áSubject: GM food Minister gives time for us to act

áá á á á á á áDear all,
áá á á á á á áDon't we wantáthe choice: Between Knowingly
áá á á á á á ádevouringáGenetically Modified Brinjal (Bt Brinjal)áand
áá á á á á á áunknowingly gobbling it up?

áá á á á á á áThe Env Minister Jairam Ramesh has given us more time to
áá á á á á á árepresent our views before deciding either way! Folks, we
áá á á á á á áneed to understand and act.

áá á á á á á áPushpa Bhargava ( Former CCMB director)áwho is a member of
áá á á á á á áthe GEAC (Genetic Engg. Approval Committee)ádid not want the
áá á á á á á áUSámulti-national company-promoted Bt Brinjal to be
áapproved.
áá á á á á á áBut the majority of the GEAC recommended for approval.

áá á á á á á áThe minister Jairamástruck!

áá á á á á á áHe said, he wants to hear from people who are going to eat
áit
áá á á á á á áand face the music, if any.

áá á á á á á áWe have a special stake, folks: Aswati (our former student &
áá á á á á á áJenifer's batch mate) who is finishing PhD in the US was the
áá á á á á á áone small voice challenging the lies and half truths
áá á á á á á áperpetrated by the multinational company, Monsantoáand its
áá á á á á á áIndian cohort Mahyco, (as early as in 2000)?! She has at
áá á á á á á áleast two 'publications' on this!
áá á á á á á áArunan







áá__._,_.___
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[MC Arunan]

Dear all,

Here is a comment from Dr. Anuradha Kalhan, an economist, on Prof Deshmukh's question regarding GM food:

 

The question should be: are we sure that there will be no ecological/environmental damage of the irreparable type from GM food.

 

instead of the one posed by him as,

 

"Does anybody know whether the States who took the initiative in conducting first trials of GM Crops in India, experienced Environment related problem?"

 

 

MC Arunan

Biology Network

 

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 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:03:41 +0530 wrote

[MC Arunan]

Dear all,

 

After so many days, a ray of  hope and occasion to revisit the GM food issue:

 Vandana Shiva, the veteran eco-activist  and promoter of organic food movement  is talking on this topic at the Sophia Polytechnic, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai at 2 PM on 16 December.

 

1. Please note, those who wants to make ones representation on the advisability or otherwise of the introduction of GM food in India, should do so to the Minister of Environment, Government of India  before 31 December, 2009.

 

2. Those who wants to attend Vadana Shiva's talk may kindly forward their intent to me on or before 10th December.

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.