Press release - September 2, 2003
NEW DELHI, India — Greenpeace activists surprised Dr. Manju Sharma, Secretary of the Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) with a house-call this morning, bearing baskets of indigenous potatoes and a banner stating “ GM potatoes no solution to malnutrition.” Dr. Sharma refused to accept the 100 kgs of desi (local) kufri variety of potatoes but did commit to follow the stipulated procedures for bio-safety assessments before the GM potato is considered for approval.
Greenpeace has been questioning the need to develop risk-laden
Genetically Modified (GM) -variety of potato to "meet the protein
requirements of school-children," (as Dr. Sharma had claimed) when
existing indigenous potatoes varieties like the kufri have far
higher levels of protein, as do other traditional sources of
protein such as pulses, soya etc. Dr. Sharma has been publicly
promoting the GM Potato, proposing that it be served as part of the
mid-day meal scheme to school children, allegedly to solve the
problem of their malnutrition. But as Greenpeace activists pointed
out, GM Potato contains only 1.6% protein, while Indian potato
varieties contain between 2.0 & 2.6 % protein (almost 100% more
than the GM Potato!) Other foods such as Wheat, Rice, Maize and
Soya bean contain far more protein and other nutrients.
"We brought these potatoes to Dr. Sharma's doorstep to make it
evident to her that malnutrition exists due to mismanaged
distribution and lack of purchasing power, not because of
inadequate quantities produced. Protein-rich foods have existed for
years and yet our children are undernourished. What is even more
outrageous is that the scientist responsible for cultivating the GM
potato, Prof. Asis Datta, is also a member of the DBT, which means
this expedited approval process smacks of nepotism besides
scientifically unsound practice," says Divya Raghunandan, GE
Campaigner, Greenpeace India. "They've been hoping to force-feed us
GM potatoes, and we are here to exercise our Right to say NO to
GMOs."
Greenpeace is also questioning the lack of transparency
surrounding the approval process. "According to bio-safety
regulations, every GM crop must undergo small scale field trials
conducted by the Review Committee on Genetic Modification, after
which, if successful, it shall undergo large scale field trials
before the GEAC even considers approval," says Divya Raghunandan,
"Dr. Sharma's previous statement was that the GM Potato would be
marketed in six months, indicating that they had not taken into
account the time GEAC requires to complete its bio-safety
assessments. Now she has assured the media that they will follow
due process, and that field trial data will be made public. We will
wait for her to make good on these promises."
For more information:Divya Raghunandan, GE Campaigner -
9845535406
Email id: 
For more information:Namrata Chowdhary, Media Officer -
9810850092
Email id: 