PANAJI: The food products that are genetically modified cause serious harm to health and invite diseases like cancer, malnutrition, lack of antibodies and immune-suppression conditions. Also these foods can take the level of toxic chemicals to a higher level and harm the body. Such crops are raised with the help of increased use of fertilisers, pesticides, and spraying of harmful chemicals which impact human health. The ecological balance is also not maintained with the production of such toxic foods. The genetically modified crops, fruits, vegetables or any other food produce are compromised with nutritional values, therefore it is necessary to stress on organic crops for leading a healthy, disease-free life.
Bringing this to the notice of the Union Health Ministry, Health Assistance Committee has appealed to the government to stress on organic food produce instead of genetically modified crops and produce. The appeal has been sent to the chief executive officers of Union Health and Family Welfare minister as well as Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). FSSAI had invited opinions, views and responses regarding genetically modified foods, their productions, storage, distribution, sales and export. The Health Assistance Committee had replied to this and sent its views recently.Placing its observations, the Health Assistance Committed stated that GM crops are compromised with nutritional values, so stress on organic crops is important. Three consecutive crop harvesting leads to reduced fertility of the soil and spoils the quality of the food, hence the FSSAI should consider natural/organic seeds instead of GM seeds, recommended the Committee. Organic seeds are always better for health, environment and ecological balance. The production of GM crops or its increased usage may result in risk of dependency of developing countries on developed nations, because in the near future, these nations may control the food production. If the control of food production goes in the hands of the developed nations, the poor, underdeveloped or developing nations will face food scarcity and food crises, warns the Committee.
