The
country should go for extensive
research on biotechnology before
adopting it in view of risks of
future sustainability and health
security involved with genetically
modified organisms (GMO), international
experts told a dialogue on Monday.
The proponents of GMO also called
upon the government to take a stand
on the GMO, still controversial
worldwide, as food security is a
major concern for a country like
Bangladesh.
As introduction of biotechnology
requires high investment, inclusive
of research, they sought funds from
the state exchequer.
"The government is not over-enthusiastic
with the issue and at the same time,
the government is not discouraging
it," Agriculture Minister MK
Anwar told the discussion.
Scholars, researchers, politicians
and civil society activists took
part in the dialogue on 'Sustaining
Agricultural Growth in Bangladesh:
Should We Go for Biotechnology for
Rice Production?' organised by the
Centre for policy Dialogue (CPD)
at the BRAC centre.
"If you have a technology that
provides higher yields, why don't
you then go for that?" the
minister said adding that the government
would support it "but with
certain caution".
Mahbub Hossain and SK Datta from
International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI), Manila and Muazzam Hossain
from BRAC University presented the
keynote paper on 'Rice technology:
Opportunity, Perceived Risks and
Potential Benefits to Bangladesh'.
It described both technical and
economic aspects of GMO, had it
been introduced in Bangladesh.
Chaired by CPD chairman Prof Rehman
Sobhan, the dialogue was also addressed
by state minister for agriculture
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as special
guest.
As the protagonists of GMO urged
the government to constitute a parliamentary
committee to oversee the issue,
the Agriculture Minister, Anwar,
said that there should be further
research on GMO before bringing
it on the floor of parliament. "The
government has already had a regulation,
but it is yet to be implemented,"
he added.
However, some speakers said since
there is a lack of empirical evidence
about the controversial technology,
they could neither support it nor
nullify it. Others warned that such
a technology could destroy the ecological
balance.
"We are not fully exhausted
in agricultural productivity. So,
why should we take risk?" Dr
SI Khan, a visiting professor of
BUET, said.
