GMO soy bean, chili found mixed in local farms

BANGKOK, 9 February 2010 (NNT) – The BioThai Foundation has announced its latest discovery of genetically-modified strains of soy bean and chili mixed in crop fields in northern Thailand.

A recent examination of over 700 plant samples collected from 40 provinces across the country has revealed an existence of genetically-modified soy bean and fresh bird chili in the farms in the northern province of Chiang Mai. In addition to previous findings, 17 other genetically engineered plants such as maize, cotton, and papaya, have also been identified in Phitsanulok, Kanchanaburi, and Nakhon Sawan.

Assoc Prof Surawich Wannakrairoj of Kasetsart University said the slipping out of the genetically modified plants from the experimental farm several years back is the reason behind the mixture. They were then intentionally released to local farms by seed producers and those benefited from the crops which implied the laxity of the government’s GMO plants control procedure.

Director of BioThai Foundation, Mr Vithoon Lienjamroon, said the engineered plants have been found scattered around the country but it is still considered manageable. However, the problem needs to be solved quickly as these crops are the common domestic food and the important ingredients of exported products.

Mr Vithoon suggested the government to appoint a panel to monitor, scrutinize, and fix the problem within 2 months as the information has already been passed on to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He urged the authority to enforce the law against the distributors of GMO products. Negligence would pose a threat to the consumers, the environment, as well as the country’s export.