Navdanya has led the national and international movement for biosafety and against the dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. Working with citizens’ movements, grassroot organizations, NGOs and governments, we have made significant contributions to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Biosafety Protocol.Contrary to the three myths i.e. the myth of feeding the hunger, protecting the planet and food safety, that are being used to make genetic engineering the dominant technology used in the production and processing of food, our research and campaigns have highlighted the deepening crisis of hunger and starvation, debt and farmers suicides caused by high cost but unreliable GM and hybrid seeds.
In the field of food and agriculture, we have raised serious concerns about the ecological and health impacts of GMOs. Since 1991 we have been campaigning against the commercialization of GM crops and food in India and have highlighted the dangerous effects of these crops and foods on our biodiversity, environment and health. We are seriously involved in enlightening the public at large on its harmful effects.
Since 1997, Navdanya is actively monitoring the GM related activities and development in India Freedom from GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOS) and conducted field surveys on the performance of Bt. cotton every year during the field trials as well as after its commercialization and proved companies and governments’ claims deceitful and fallacious. Through The Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), we have also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court in 1999 against US seed giant MONSANTO and Indian authorities for the illegal and unauthorized introduction of GMOs in India through field trials of these crops, bypassing and violating environmental laws, without involving and informing the local authorities and the local public.
Navdanya has also been involved in and leading campaigns against GMOs on an international level. During the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial, Navdanya joined 740 other organizations in presenting their opposition to WTO's attempt to undermine the right of individual countries to take appropriat steps to protect their farmland, environment and consumers from the risks posed by GM foods and crops. In India RFSTE and other concerned groups have demanded that the Government fulfill their obligation towards the Indian farmers, Indian consumers, our environment, our diversity and our very agriculture by imposing a 10 years moratorium immediately on the impending release of GMOs in this country. We therefore must act fast. Let’s get together and demand for complete ban on GM seeds and foods in India.
