On March 14, 2007 in cafй Art Gallery (14, Griboedov) Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) in cooperation with Green Movement of Georgian held Green Cafй. The theme of this unofficial meeting was genetically modified organisms (GMO). There were represented NGO, students and common people interested by the issue of GMO.
Speech held on George Magradze, Program Coordinator. In his speech he briefly discussed what is GMO, are they harmful for environment and human health or not, counted adverse impact of GMO organisms on environment as well as on health, such as: increase sustainability to adverse insects and diseases (in those organisms who typically do not have such feature), genetically modified plants may harm soil micoflora; as GMO organisms more intensively grow they may be peril for their wild ancestors, GMO bacteria and viruses created for various reasons in the case of release (intentionally or unintentionally) in environment will speed up decrease of biodiversity, allergies and immune response on new substances presented in GMO, new genes may amend metabolism of natural genes and etc.
Mr. Magradze pointed out that once GMO organisms enter environment it will be impossible to take out them from surrounding medium. Hence process of GMO introduction in environment should be halted and first off all the issue – are they really harmful or not should be clarified.
Deputy minister of health, Koka Prudze declares that among the representatives of scientific field is no one unit opinion on this issue. (GHN, 15.03.2007)
“One consider that GMO are harmful for health, other do not share this opinion,” – declares Mr. Pruidze.
Himself Mr. Pruidze prefer non-GMO products. Though this attitude do not allow him to support Zurab Tkelemalde’s, leader of Entrepreneurs Group, project of resolution on Realization of International Biodiversity Convention Demands that was brought up by legislative initiative.
He also does not agree with idea to announce Georgia as banned area for GMO products.
“Evidence proving GMO produces are adverse do not exist, hence dispute on the issue what result it will have after several generation is unreasonable,” – declares Mr. Pruidze.
“So scientist agreed that it is quite enough to support GMO product with corresponding certificate,” – said Mr. Pruidze.
[Prepared by CENN]