On GMO controversy

One main reason behind the sluggish upward trajectory in terms of adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) is the powerful anti-GMO campaign which continues appeal to public sentiments of fear and foreboding. The debates on the adoption of genetically modified agricultural technologies continue to be intense and passionate, often lacking an objective science-based viewpoint.

For countries like Bangladesh, which aim to mitigate extreme poverty and hunger, there is an urgent need to re-evaluate if our policy stance on agriculture, particularly in reference to GMOs, is enabling us to reap the benefits of safe technology the fullest. The way forward will require us to shed our general diffidence toward science and initiate rigorous research into the understanding how biotechnology can help cope with the climate, ecological, and nutritional challenges faced by Bangladesh.

It should be noted that Bangladesh approved a biotech crop (Bt eggplant/brinjal) cultivation in 2013. The approval by Bangladesh serves as an example for other small poor countries. It and has broken the impasse experienced in trying to gain approval for commercialising Bt brinjal in India and the Philippines.

More recently, in February 2015, the government of Bangladesh decided to introduce genetically modified (GM) cotton in 2016 to increase production of  the main raw material for textiles. However, at present reports of conflicting findings on the outcome of BT brinjal cultivation are appearing in the media which, in turn, may cause cotton growers to shy away from the cultivation of GM cotton which is deemed to be a highly profitable cash crop. This underscores the need for systematic, rigorous and independent evaluation to understand the direct and indirect impact of biotech crop cultivation.

The results and conclusions from similar initiatives would increase our accumulated knowledge and provide sound scientific support for shaping the regulatory framework. Orientation towards a policy regime that is backed by evidence-based research may help Bangladesh debunk the misinformation about GMOs - not only at home but also beyond.

The writer is Country Economist, International Growth Centre (IGC), Mohkhali, Dhaka.

farria.naeem@theigc.org