Bhubaneswar, Nov. 12: Nobel laureate Richard John Roberts today championed the claims of the controversial golden rice and said he was hopeful that India under Narendra Modi's leadership would introduce it.
Golden rice is the world's first Vitamin A-enriched rice. The controversial rice is a genetically-modified (GM) variety that is being developed by scientists in various countries, including Bangladesh.
Roberts was speaking at KIIT University's 12th annual convocation. He said: "Activists in India have opposed GM crops. For a while, the government was also against it. But now, it seems that the government will be much more reasonable."
Although some GM crops, such as GM brinjal and GM cotton, have been introduced in India, the move has invited criticism from many quarters. It has been alleged that GM crops lead to organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated ageing and infertility.
Roberts, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993, is popular for his campaign for GM crops.
At the event, he also took a dig at Greenpeace - the environmental organisation that has long been opposing GM crops.
"There is no evidence that GM crops are dangerous. Greenpeace is in the business of scaring people by calling it 'too dangerous'. People are going to starve if they do not introduce these crops. If technology can prevent starvation, why not use it?" he said.
The golden rice has been infused with a gene that produces betacarotene and can be used to address vitamin A deficiency. Trials are underway for the grain's commercial release within the next couple of years.
Roberts said it would help curb deficiency of vitamin A in children.
When asked why GM crops were being introduced only in developing countries and not developed countries, Richard said countries in Europe did not need these corps, while India and countries in Africa needed it.
Addressing the graduating students of the 2015-16 batch, Roberts said:"I wanted to be a detective when I was a child, but later developed an interest in science. Never be afraid to try something new and always follow your heart."
