Scientists Sound Off: Ban GMO Testing In IndiaElizabeth Renter Naturalsociety.com As we reported last month, the proposed ban, backed by a committee appointed by the India Supreme Court, would ban GMO field trials for 10 years, at the very minimum, postponing the damaging environmental and health hazards of the seeds and GMO foods. India is (rightfully) concerned that the GMO field trials of Monsanto could lead to significant contamination of other farms in the country, contamination which could be the undoing of many otherwise-sustainable farms. What we really need is a shift in paradigm, where a holistic approach drives our interventions in agriculture without reductionist solutions hogging the center-stage and taking away precious resources, said Professor Hans Herren, Co-Chair of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (IAASTD), and winner of the 1995 World Food Prize. These top scientists gathered to mark their support for the measure that could offer just one more significant blow to the seed-giant. Conventional crops arent only safer than GM crops; they are more productive. And any step closer to instituting GMO seeds in India or elsewhere is a step away from farm productivity and sustainable agriculture. This isnt the only problemfarmers who are forced to use the GM seeds pay higher prices and take greater risks. This is seen in the shocking suicide rates among farmers who have moved to GM crops, a frightening occurrence. In 2009, for instance, about one Indian farmer killed himself every 30 minutes. With the risks of GM crops at undeniable levels, countries across the world are leading the way in stopping Monsanto in its tracks. One can only hope their fervor will continue to spread. This article first appeared at NaturalSociety.com, an excellent resource for health news and vaccine information. 