Why did the Government ban the import of “Terminator seeds”?
(A) To contain a virus which can destroy local crops
(B) These seeds are injurious to human and animal
health
(C) These seeds contain genetically engineered
properties to prevent further multiplication
(D) These seeds multiply at very slow rates
Answser : C
Explaination : Certainly! Terminator seeds, also known as Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs), are genetically modified to produce plants that are sterile or have reduced fertility. This means that the seeds produced by these plants are either unable to germinate or produce plants that cannot reproduce. The primary purpose of Terminator technology is to prevent farmers from saving seeds from their harvest for replanting in the next season.
Here's an explanation of why the government might ban the import of Terminator seeds:
1. **Prevention of Further Multiplication**: Terminator seeds are designed to prevent further multiplication. This means that once planted and harvested, the seeds produced by Terminator plants cannot be replanted by farmers because they are sterile or have reduced fertility. This breaks the traditional cycle of seed saving and replanting that has been practiced by farmers for generations.
2. **Protection of Farmers' Rights**: Many argue that Terminator technology infringes upon farmers' traditional rights to save and replant seeds. Farmers have historically saved seeds from their harvests to replant in subsequent seasons, which helps maintain agricultural biodiversity and reduces dependence on external seed sources. Terminator seeds disrupt this practice by making it impossible for farmers to save seeds for replanting.
3. **Food Security Concerns**: There are concerns about the impact of Terminator technology on food security. By preventing farmers from saving and replanting seeds, Terminator technology can make farmers dependent on seed companies for each planting season. This dependency can be economically burdensome, particularly for small-scale and subsistence farmers who may not have the financial resources to continually purchase seeds.
4. **Environmental Implications**: Critics of Terminator technology also raise environmental concerns. They argue that the widespread adoption of Terminator seeds could lead to genetic contamination of traditional crop varieties, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of local ecosystems. Additionally, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture raises broader environmental questions about the long-term impacts of genetic engineering on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Overall, the decision to ban the import of Terminator seeds is often based on concerns about protecting farmers' rights, ensuring food security, and addressing potential environmental risks associated with the widespread adoption of Terminator technology.