Charles blames GM for suicides

- Slams hi-tech farming as 'commerce without morality'

Monday, 6th October 2008

Prince Charles claims genetically modified (GM) crops are driving farmers to suicide.

The 59-year-old royal argued the controversial farming technique has caused "truly appalling" suicides among farmers in India, and rejected suggestions it will help feed the Third World.

Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, India, organised by an anti-GM pressure group, Charles alleged the method of food production causes more harm than good, mentioning the "truly appalling and tragic rate of small farmer suicides in India, stemming in part from the failure of many GM crop varieties".

The lecture marks the prince's most outspoken attack yet on GM crops, with his views pitting him against the government, biotech companies and the National Farmers' Union.

The biotech industry has previously lauded GM farming as a solution to Third World poverty, and claims the growth of GM cotton in India led to higher yields.

The prince labelled GM crops "a global moral question" and "a wrong turning on the route to feeding the world". He added they were "commerce without morality" and "science without humanity".

It has been claimed hundreds of farmers in India have committed suicide after falling into debt buying seeds and fertilisers sold by GM companies.

Earlier this year the prince angered scientists and MPs when he said there was evidence showing "a growing world population can be fed most successfully in the long term by agricultural systems that manage the land within environmental limits". He added the technology could become an "environmental disaster".

Charles was accused of "ignoring" the needs of the needs of the hungry and of being "shockingly ill-informed".



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