ADVERSE IMPACTS OF TRANSGENIC CROPS/FOODS A Compilation of Scientific References with Abstracts Coalition for a GM-Free India November, 2013 Second Edition Coalition for a GM-Free India is a broad national network of organizations, scientists, farmer unions, consumer groups and individuals committed to keep the food and farms in India free of Genetically Modified Organisms and to protect India’s food security and sovereignty. For more information: Coalition for a GM-Free India A-124/6, First Floor, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi 110 016 Phone/Fax: 011-26517814 Website: www.indiagminfo.org Email: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook page- GM Watch India ADVERSE IMPACTS OF TRANSGENIC CROPS/FOODS A COMPILATION OF SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES WITH ABSTRACTS For Private Circulation Only Compiled by Kavitha Kuruganti with help from Ananthasayanan, Dileep Kumar, Lekshmi Narasimhan, Priyanka M. Rajesh Krishnan and Kapil Shah for Coalition for a GM-Free India November, 2013 ADVERSE IMPACTS OF TRANSGENIC CROPS/FOODS A COMPILATION OF SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES WITH ABSTRACTS (For Private Circulation Only) Edition : First : April, 2013 Second : November, 2013 Soft Copy of this book is available at : www.indiagminfo.org Printed by Coalition for a GM-Free India (with support from INSAF) Secretariat: A 124/6, First Floor, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi : 110 016. (ii) ABOUT THIS BOOK This is what eminent Indian scientists, who are considered the leading experts in their respective fields, have to say about this book. Useful and Timely Compilation This is a useful and timely compilation of peer-reviewed articles in a field of immense public, political, professional and media interest. The need for effective biosafety regulations has been emphasized in many of the papers as well as in the report of the Parliamentary Committee headed by Shri Basudeb Acharya. Ms Kavitha Kuruganti has brought together in a readable form the latest scientific information on risks and benefits in relation to genetically modified crops. I hope the book will be widely read by all interested in ensuring that the new genetics represented by molecular biology becomes a blessing and not a curse. - Prof. M S Swaminathan Agriculture It Makes the Case for a Most Stringent Process of Review of GM Crops From the beginning of the technology of genetic engineering some three decades ago, it has been clear that when we put in a foreign gene in an organism to confer on it a certain specified quality (a new capability, or imposition of a curb on the expression of an existing capability), there is a substantial possibility of unintended effects which could be harmful to (a) the organism that we intend to modify; (b) the health of animals or humans who may use the organism (say, a plant ) or its products, for example as food material; (c) the environment; and (d) biodiversity. The number of reliable scientific publications demonstrating one or more of these phenomena has been increasing exponentially over the last 10-12 years. It is, therefore, important to have them available at one place to help agencies regulating GM products (particularly, plants), aware of the magnitude of risk that, for example, GM plants carry with them. The present publication eminently serves this important objective. In fact, it makes the case for a most stringent process of review of GM crops from the point of view of possible adverse effects on plant, animal and human health, on environment, and on biodiversity. - Dr. P M Bhargava Molecular Biology (iii) The Only Way To Ensure That We Do Not Run into Disasters Charles Sanders Pierce, the distinguished Mathematician- Logician has formulated, what he terms as the “First Rule of Logic”: Upon this first, and in one sense this sole, rule of reason, that in order to learn you must desire to learn, and in so desiring not be satisfied with what you already incline to think, there follows one corollary which itself deserves to be inscribed upon every wall of the city of philosophy: Do not block the way of inquiry. Not blocking the way of inquiry is clearly the most important precondition for progress of science and of science-based technologies. Yet many political and commercial interests have a strong tendency to do just this; to suppress free flow of scientific information and pursuit of scientific inquiry, without fear and favour by all citizens, regardless of their educational, social, economic background. A well- known case of disasters that can follow such suppression is that of Stalin’s attempts to bring vast tracts of cold, dry steppes under cultivation. His favourite pseudoscientist, Lysenko, had assured Stalin that his technique of cold treatment of wheat seeds will be the key to this endeavour. Vavilov, a major figure of 20th century Genetics pointed out that Lysenko’s dubious claims were based on experiments that could not be replicated. As revenge, Lysenko accused Vavilov of betraying Marxism; Vavilov died tragically in Stalin’s prisons. Of course, Vavilov was right and Stalin’s agricultural campaign was an economic and a human disaster for Soviet Russia. There have been similar experiences under democracy and capitalism also, as witness attempts to suppress Clair Cameron Patterson’s work on lead pollution by the oil and automobile lobbies in the United Sates. The lessons are clear, to quote another distinguished Mathematician- Logician, Alfred North Whitehead: “Science must firmly anchor itself on the solid bedrock of facts, however unpalatable these may be.” The on-going attempt at transparently bringing out all relevant facts relating to Genetically Modified Crops, however unpalatable these may be to some parties, is therefore most welcome. It is the only way to ensure that we do not run into disasters like Stalin’s ill-fated agricultural campaigns. - Prof. Madhav Gadgil Ecology & Environment (iv) FOREWORD The debate around GMOs in our food, farming and environment has only been increasing over time, whether it is in policy circles or in the scientific world, or as a public debate. The "Coalition for a GM-Free India" has been actively involved in generating an informed debate in India on the various facets of GM crops. Very often, there are questions on whether the debate is based on scientific evidence or not. This prompted us to create a compilation of hundreds of references of published scientific papers that point to various adverse impacts of Genetically Modified (GM) crops and foods in April 2013. As expected, this pioneering initiative has helped in furthering the evidence-based debate in India with stakeholders across various sectors getting an opportunity to see the availability of scientific evidence on numerous fronts. Needless to say, the implications of this living, irreversible technology have to be understood on different fronts (as much as possible, because there is also a severe dearth of research, that too on long term implications and from independent sources) by policy makers and individual citizens before GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are released into the environment, given that such deployment would take place on a large scale in agriculture. The need to be cautious about agricultural technologies cannot be over-emphasised given that most land is put under agriculture, most people in India are linked to agriculture for their main livelihood and that all of us consume food from agriculture to keep ourselves alive and healthy. This Second Edition of the compilation has more studies added to the collection. The compilation presents evidence available on specific fronts like molecular level instability and unpredictability induced by the process of GE; health implications flowing out of individual genes used as well as the GMO and also because of the chemicals used along with particular GMOs; environmental implications in terms of impacts on biodiversity, soil, on pests and diseases, impacts on non-target organisms, creation of "super weeds" etc. Some of the studies which have looked at yield myths related to GM crops have also been included. Further, studies that have looked at regulation and suggested improvements in biosafety assessment regimes are part of this compilation. Ethical and Socio-Economic implications of GMOs including strengthening of seed monopolies into the hands of a few multinational corporations are also covered in a few studies presented here. This is by no means an exhaustive compilation, but is only illustrative. We hope that this compilation compels sceptics to appreciate the overwhelming evidence that already exists against this technology. We also hope that our scientists and regulators will undertake assessments that consist of sound protocols and designs so that early warnings can be captured for appropriate decision-making. - Coalition for a GM-Free India November, 2013 (v) ADVERSE IMPACTS OF TRANSGENIC CROPS / FOODS CONTENTS 1. IMPRECISION & UNPREDICTABILITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OF GENETIC ENGINEERING ........................................ 1 2. HEALTH IMPACTS 2.1 Bt toxin ........................................................................................... 35 2.2 Glyphosate & Other Herbicides ................................................... 41 2.3 Genetic Engineering & Health Impacts ....................................... 66 2.4 Changes in Nutritional Composition............................................ 91 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .................................................................. 93 3.1 Super Weeds ..............................................................................