WORKSHOP ON CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ISSUES SURROUNDING GMO’S WINDHOEK – 18TH TO 19TH AUGUST 2016 FARMERS PERSPECTIVE FEEDING THE NATION By George B. Rhodes

More information required!! Why making GM crops ? Who produces these crops ? Where are these crops grown ? What are the potential benefits ? Are these crops appropriate for developing countries ? What are the potential risk of these plants ? Are there any reasons to avoid these products ? How can we make use of this technology ? What mechanisms is in place to ensure a proper Regulatory framework ?

Concerns !!! Does this really contribute to feeding the world or simply benefit the developers of these varieties What happen to local varieties – in particular small scale farmers who depends on farmer saved seed who cannot afford it Generating superior plant varieties – does it really expands the possibilities beyond the limits imposed by conventional plant breeding Is the cross breeding between the same or very closely related species being regulated ?

POTENTIAL RISKS – Clarity needed Concerns POTENTIAL RISKS – Clarity needed Unintentional introduction of allergens transgenes escaping from cultivated crops to wild relatives potential for pest to evolve resistance to toxins produced by GM crops risk of these toxins affecting non-target organisms wholesomeness and health status – does it leave material inside the human and animal body – organ damage – what about pregnant woman Can the contamination (if any) be reversed – permanent

Concerns !!!! GMO’s cross pollinate and seeds can travel can - we clean up our contaminated gene pool – huge losses for organic and non-GM farmers Increase in herbicide use – Round up ready crops, designed to survive applications of Round up herbicide Does Genetic engineering creates dangerous side effects – mixing genes from unrelated species – unpredictable side affects – new toxins, allergens etc Industry – Funded Research designed to avoid finding problems and how it being distorted or denied “tobacco science” Independent research and reporting is attacked and suppressed

Concerns!! Is this technology safe for the environment – birds, insects marine ecosystems, soil organisms Does it really increase yields – feeding more people in developing countries GM food cited as economical, despite initial higher cost of the seed – reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides – reducing manpower needed to grow these crops- improved financial gains Improved quality ! Longer shelve life – ability to withstand weather fluctuations – still yields and quality High content of a specific nutrient – Vitamin A rich golden Rice

SUMMARY !!!! Ability to trigger an allergy in humans – genes mixed across different species Damaged to Biodiversity – extinction of certain organisms GM foods are modified using bacteria and viruses – emerging of new diseases Lack of Scientific studies on the long term health impact Concept of “SUNSTANCIAL EQUIVALENCE” debatable Finally why still having overwhelming opposition to Field Trials of GM crops in many countries Any of these gene-edited crops slipping through Regulatory Net??

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