Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AHMED SUDAN on October 22, 2009 at 1:14pm

thanks sharma and it is really very importanant to stand and say a big no

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Permalink Reply by Shipra Sharma on October 22, 2009 at 1:33pm

Thanks Ahmed, I know you are doing a great job in Sudan and addressing all aspects of the problems related to poor and marginalised people through your initiatives. Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by OWINO Fredrick on October 22, 2009 at 9:49pm

Hi Shipra,
I don't know much about GM foods, but from the arguments, counter arguments, noise, etc, etc, I find myself most of the time sympathizing with the proponents of the GM foods..i Mean if you listen to and read them, you can immediately assume the guys have a strong case for it. Maybe you could start by enlightening me about the dark side before i can draw a line..as for now, I still sympathize with their course..really, not that am right on this, I could be dead wrong!!!!

Permalink Reply by Shipra Sharma on October 23, 2009 at 12:32pm

Hi Owino,
As Francis has mentioned below, GM crops are structured to grow in any condition and can fight any disease, thus reducing the vulnerability of the crops to failure. Usually the process involves altering the naturally occuring genetic make up of the crop. This can have serious implications for everybody who eats such food. The health risks associated with GM food consumption include "infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system", and so on.
They pose risks for the environment too, as the modified genes have the capacity to transfer from one organism to another without reproduction. This is called horizontal transfer. Moreover, once introduced, they cannot be recalled or contained. This means serious consequences for the wildlife and the ecology as well.

Permalink Reply by Francis Mwathi on October 22, 2009 at 8:57pm

GM Foods have been hailed as Pest resistance , Herbicide tolerant , Disease resistance , Cold tolerance , Drought tolerance, and with Nutritional capacity to feed impoverished peoples in in third world countries but environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the governments for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories (environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns.)

Permalink Reply by Raphael Wanjaria Njararuhi on October 22, 2009 at 11:19pm

Big NO for GMOs in Kenya!

Permalink Reply by Shipra Sharma on October 23, 2009 at 12:34pm

Thanks Raphael!