August 13, 2012
Vietnamese farmers insist on using genetically modified plants
Vietnamese farmers believe that the country should not waste any more time discussing on the use of genetically modified plants, however, scientists need more time.
After two years of growing genetically modified corn species MON 89034, NK603 and Bt11, GA21 in different ecological zones, the Agricultural Institute of Genetics announced that it has not found any risks to the environment and that genetically modified plants (GMP) have some advantages that non-GMP do not have.
However, despite the conclusion, scientists still keep arguing about whether to put GMP into production on a large scale. Vietnamese scientists have not been convinced about the benefits of GMP, and they believe that some countries in the world, including the EU, have their reasons to prohibit some GMPs in their territories.
The scientists believe that what Vietnam should do now is wait and see, and that Vietnam should only develop GMPs when the results of scientific research can clarify the pros and cons of the plants.
However, Le Huy Ham, Head of the Agricultural Institute of Genetics, has affirmed that Vietnam should not wait any longer.
"I don''t think we need to wait any longer. GMP should be applied in Vietnam, as soon as possible," Ham said.
According to Ham, the regulations on risk management and biological safety management applied for GMP have been applied since 1980s, based on GMPs that have been put into cultivation on a large scale since 1996.
"The cultivation in the last 16 years shows that GMPs are safe to humans and biodiversity," Ham said.
Meanwhile, some scientists have quoted EMBO, a European molecular biology, as saying that the main reason that led to the EU''s decision to restrict GMP cultivation is simply in an effort to protect local production.
Vo Tong Xuan, a well-known agricultural expert in HCM City, also believes that Vietnam should not hesitate to develop GMP.
He said GMP have been grown in 30 countries around the world for the last tens of years, including big economies such as the US, China, India, and South East Asian countries like the Philippines and Myanmar.
Scientists believe that now is not the right time to discuss whether or not to allow the development of GMP in Vietnam. It is the time to think about what GMP varieties to choose after weighing the costs and profits.
Vietnam has been offered the Golden Rice variety which is believed to contain high concentration of Vitamin A. The rice variety gives yellow colour grains, while Vietnamese biggest export markets favour white rice.
This is also not the rice variety for the poor. Therefore, scientists believe that there is no need to put the rice variety into production.
"However, if the genetically modified technology can create a drought resistant rice variety, the thing which cannot be done by cross-breeding method, we may consider using the variety in the areas that lack water," Xuan said.
Scientists have pointed out many outstanding features of genetically modified technology. In 2011, when insects attacked corn fields, GMP corn fields brought the yield higher by 30-40% than other corn fields. This showed that GMP can help stabilise the productivity in the context of disadvantages.