Genetically Modified Mustard, a Hazard for India?

Mustard is one of the few things that an Indian kitchen cannot do without. The consumption of mustard, however, might have long-term adverse effects on our health if the cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard in India gets the Central Government’s approval.

This transgenic mustard hybrid called the ‘Dhara Mustard Hybrid 11’ has been developed by Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGCMP).

Concerned environmental activists like Vandana Shiva have been running a Change.org petition to ensure that the GM mustard doesn’t get introduced to Indian households. They are promoting organic culture instead.

This DMH11, like other GMOs, will have objectionable health and environmental impacts, going by the experience of other similar GMOs like GM canola in other countries. Super weeds are a real problem, in addition to health impacts of herbicides used on such crops. Contamination of other varieties of mustard is inevitable, and as you know, this has serious implications, given that India is a centre of diversity for mustard.

Vandana Shiva in Change.org Petition

GM crops require more pesticides and herbicides, which may not only cause digestive problems and food allergies but also cancer. 

GM crops are a danger to the environment and an evil that can wipe out humanity. It’s a shortcut to long-term misery.

Wilson Mattathil, Signed Petition

Earlier this year Bt Brinjal was also largely disfavoured by state governments, who have yet again refused to allow field trials of this GMO. Shiva’s position is that regulators should comply with the judiciary and parliamentary recommendations regarding the subject of GM crops.