YDA Solo in collaboration with CRS Jakarta Field Office
Presents:
SEMAR as a profesor IGARENG as an aducated
who know much about |]figure, a member of
genetic modification ||NGO who doubts of ge-
netic modifi-
cation
PETRUK as a farmer
who has high expecta-
tion on genetical-
ly modified À
organism AY
IN:
THE DISTURBANCE
CANE TRG MNODIERCATION
2002
FOREWORD
The comic is firstly published in early 2002
in Bahasa Indonesia,
under the title "Gara-gara Rekayasa Genetika”
Rekayasa Genetika means genetically modified,
and “Gara-gara” is a Javanese term for a plot in
leather puppet show, in which the
“punakawan” figures (Semar, Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong)
appear to give advice and criticism for the “knights”
who govern the country or policy makers.
In Bahasa Indonesia, “gara-gara”
also means tumult or disturbance. r
In leather puppet show,
*punakawan" figures appears to
calm down the paradigm conflict
so that the policy makers
and authorities can govern in line
with the harmony and natural balance
and of course,
advocating people's interest.
“Gara-gara” is a forum in which people
has best chance to give their contribution
wisely in struggling for the
sustainability of country's development.
Illustrator:
MUGI SURYANA
Story & Idea:
MEDIANSYAH
NILA ARDHIANIE
PUITRI HATININGSIH
Pre-print:
KURNIAWAN EKO YULIANTO
® (cs
YAYASAN DUTA AWAM pS
[One night at a cakruk (Java - a neighbor security post, usually available in vilage
or kampong), Gareng Petruk an Bagong are absorted in interesting talk
Hey... look! The moon
is so beautiful
isn't it?
Yap! You're right! E It is great, I think....In the past,
It is marvelous seen far it was impossible for human being to
away. When youre close step on the moon, until technology
to it, however, it is just | advance came where human can
a rocky land AN create a vehicle to travel to the
What... Flying horse?
Impossible |
nowadays Don't Talk rot!
we can travel to
the moon by using
shuttle spaceship. EN
One day, we may
go to the moon JL Sembrani,
by Kuda $) E À Truk ?
‘Sembarani
Who knows..!
By the way.
Can we create
Kuda Sembroni=
yng horse (Pegasus) |
ps
Oh... Not only creating
but also breeding i
Kuda Sembrani
do we can.
Someday, maybe tens
years later, when the
road is full of vehicles
we can travel by air,
riding Kuda Sembrani.
Frey..hey..ts serious
Reng] In science,
something impossible
can be learned and
realized. Remember !
human being
can go to the moon
that was
previously impossible!
So... what is your
argument? Can a how stupid you are!
horse be operated | | Look
and planted a pair off | The book I've read!
wings of an eagle?
Is that what you
Well... does it have some:
thing to do with the flying
horse you've talked about?
living creatures.
human gene
By genetically modifying, a living is implanted can become a mouse
creature can be copulated one having human ear! It has been proven!
another. The copulation will resul
¡generation having combination of
physical characteristics of those two] |
For example, a mouse of which a
Wocow... Are you kidding?
Anyway... it is interesting. So,
when the animal and human
being is crossed, does it result
in scaring thing?
LUE
Well... Let's not talk about it
to far off.
Surely there are many experts have
developed genetically modified organism in
any field, including agriculture and
husbandry. Then, the transgenic result
is expected to be bigger, longer, faster,
more quantity, herbicide resistant,
disease resistant, and more other
advantages.
It is also expected to
happen in cattle.
They are expected to be
bigger, more milk, more
meat, … principally,
it will be more and
For instance tomato variety
that is implanted with polar fish
gene can resist rotting,
Rice plant that is implanted
with a certain bacteria will
result in golden rice containing
vitamin À
Corn variety that is inserted
with gene of a certain bacterial
will be resistant of a certain
disease... and there are more
other examples
Fr
lo make it clearer,
let's go to Professor Semar
tomorrow!
He is now having research
on genetically modified
organism in his experiment
laboratory with some
varieties he has observed.
Okay. >
Well Tm also
interested in your
book, Truk!
Let me learn more
on genetic modification
Well. lets go around
The following day, Prof, may we O...No.
Kulm. ee
Kulanıwun Cave) = Execuse me
Look at this! It is living creature.
It might be human being, animal
or plants.
Living things’ body consist of
something called cell
From the tip toe
through the end of your hair,
from the leaves
through the roots,
all of them comprise
of cells.
Until this point,
Mh, is that clear?
Then in each cell of living
thing there are delicate
fibers mapping the
individual characteristics
| of the creatures.
Those fibers are called
chromosomes.
Chromo means charac-
teristic, soma means body.
A aN
It was electronic microscope that was
invented some years ago and by
which we can see the smallest part
of a thing,
From this we find that in each
chromosome there are circle fibers
In each circle fiber lies orderly
something called gene
So, in each of living
creature there are
genes, Prof?
By modifying or manipulating
the small gene we can create a
creature that is different or
a little bit different from its
original species
This is what we call
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISM (GMO)
‘Animals or plants
that are treated by
genetically modifying
are called trans-
genic animals or
plants,
So, genetic
modification is
an effort to
cross two NR
different living [NS
creaturesto 7) YN)
create the =f \,\ \|
superior seed. J” |
May I have question,
Prof?
If the gene implanted
come from different
species, can it be?
This is "Go
rice with high nutrition content,
especially vitamin A that was
previously never contained in rice as
main food. It is very important
The rice is also adaptable to the
weather, climate, soil, and pest resis-
tant. Moreover, its yield is better
and faster
PUES Gene
W ess
N Mo, a
— CRISS
Daffodil
SETE @/
ES
SS
Bacteria Erwinia
Plasmid a
te Dam
E)
Rice ore £ =
ENS
Paddy embryo with
Locally
Betacarotene
planted rice
Firstly, let's take gene from daffodil
and bacteria Erwinia Uredovora to
create Betacarotene (source of
vitamin A) in Endosperma (inside part
of rice ore).
eg
‘Second, Those genes along with
promotor (part of DNA that
activate gene) is inserted into
El Plasmid (small circle of DNA) that
lies in the cell of bacteria Agro-
bacterium Tumafaciens.
Sea
Rice Embryo
‘Transgenic rice cross with locally rice
Third, Bacteria Agrobacterium are placed in a plate
containing rice embryo.
Once the bacteria infect the rice embryo, the bacteria
also transmit the genes that create betacarotene.
Finally, the transgenic rice must be
crossed with locally planted rice that
suitable with the climate and specific
condition of the growth.
Beside rice, is
there any
other plant
that can be
developed
trans-geneti-
cally, Prof?
This is "Golden Rice” that result in
rice with high nutrition content,
especially vitamin A that was
previously never contained in rice as
main food. It is very important
The rice is also adaptable to the
weather, climate, soil, and pest resis
tant. Moreover, its yield is better
and faster.
>
Let me
tell you.
e ” Rice ore FA
asi E
= poor € RIA
NO
585% ED
Daffodil MO 259889 | EN LAY
es 7 SN
Bacteria Erwinia Paddy embryo with Locally
Beta Karoten plantedrice
Second, Those genes along with
Firstly, lets take gene from daffodil | | Sromoson (part of DNA that
and bacteria Erwinia Uredovora to vete gene) a Inserted ito
create Beta-Karoten (source of El Plasmid (small circle of DNA) that
vitamin A) in Endosperma (inside part | lies in the cell of bacteria Agro.
of rice ore), bacterium Tumafaciens.
coo, EEE, AR
Transgenic rice cross with locally rice
Third, Bacteria Agrobacterium are placed in a plate
containing rice embryo
‘Once the bacteria infect the rice embryo, the bacteria
also transmit the genes that create beta karoten
Finally, the transgenic rice must be
crossed with locally planted rice that
suitable with the climate and specific
condition of the growth,
Beside rice, is D a # A Oh. many. Beside rice, there
there any re many, such as corn,
other plant cotton, soybean, tomato..etc. |
that canbe N BE) Any kinds of productive
developed
‘trans-geneti-
cally, Prof?
Td like to know more el
on't Wel you
figure it out one by
one, Prof? yá
Let's start from
corn.
„_In The United States, 24 percent of corn product is derived from genetic
modification. Corn that is developed by Ciba-Geigy and Monsanto,
USA is called Bt-corn because it contains
bacteria Bacillus Thuriengiensis that
resist to the European Corn Borer.
Bt-corn can result 12 tons per Hectare.
It saves pesticide use. For hybrid corn it
needs $40 pesticide per hectare, because
it has to be sprayed twice. For Bt-corn it
need only $24 because it is just sprayed
once.
‘Though the seed of Bt-corn is more expensive, its production cost is less
expensive and the yield is more.
(Transgenic Agriculture is Expected to be Second Green Revolution, Kompas
18 August, 2000)
Transgenic Cotton produced by Monsanto USA is | Ag
BE q
also called Bt Cotton because it contains insect
poison from bacteria Bacillus Thuringiensis,
The cotton is also developed in Australia.
Moreover, The Bt-Cotton has been
experimented at South Sulawesi at 500 hectares
area. It results more than local cotton andit 4
needs not pesticide use. While local cotton only results in
500 Kg/hectare, Bt cotton can result 1,5 up to 2 tons per hectare!
The cost production is less expensive, as well, mainly, Rp. 73.000 per hectare,
while local cotton is Rp. 710.000 per hectare.
(South Sulewesi Will Add Area for Trans-genetic Cotton, Kompas, September 29, 2000).
10
Monsanto is resistant to herbicide Roundup. Its seed is
certainly more expensive ($15 per hectare). However, total
cost production is less expensive and the result is more
than local soybean,
54 percent of soybean in USA is Transgenic and 28
percent of the amount is exported, including to Indonesia.
‘The demand of soybean in Indonesia is 2 up to 2,2 million
tons per year. While its production capacity is
>) only 1.3 million tons. Thus, 700,000 up to
900,000 tons soybean must be imported.
70 percent of the imported soybean is from USA.
It has been conducted for years
In 1999 it reached $202.4 million
(The Development of Transgenic food, Endonesias Dualism Attitude, Kompas August 18, 2000)
In The United States market there is transgenic tomato,
Uniquely, the new variety of tomato is resistant to the
viruses attack and resistant to rotting because it has been
inserted by "frozen" gene of Winter Flounder,
polar fish. Moreover the variety is made to
contain a certain hormone owned uniquely by (
human, so that beside resistant to rotting the
tomato is useful in supplying hormone for human
being
(Genetically Engineered Agriculture is Expected to be Second Green
Revolution, Kemps, 18 August, 2000)
Banana is not longer a fruit for dessert. Researcher
from Boyce Thomson Institute, Cornell University
inserted gene into banana to create protein of viruses
causing hepatitis.
When the banana is eaten, the protein created in
banana will trigger immunity to the body like when
vaccine is inserted into body. Hepatitis vaccine in
banana will make prevention to hepatitis disease
easier and cheaper.
(Biotechnology, Future Alternative Technelogy amid
Controversy, Kompas, August 28, 2000),
| plants that can be genetically
modified but also animal ‘Sheep Dally and
Would you give the example? Sheep Polly.
are many other
plants developed
by using genetic
modification
technique
= eL
[ Sheep Dolly is developed from mature cell taken from six years female
sheep's udder. Then it is inserted into egg cell and inseminated into other
female sheep. Many expert who "has given birth” Dolly now has given birth
Polly.
‘According to Financial Times (24 July
1997), Roslin Institute and PPL
Therapeutics has developed transgenic
sheep that contain human gene.
Human gene is added into nucleus (cell
core) of a cell taken from a sheep.
The nucleus is inserted into embryo cell of
| which its nucleus has been taken
previously, then the embryo and its nucleus is inserted into the cell of other
female sheep.
Human gene that is inserted into Polly will cause Polly's milk containing human
protein that can be extracted and given to the patient who lack of protein,
such as patient hemophilia and those suffering from spinal column disease.
The interesting one, Roslin Institute has ever announced that the cloning
technique can be applied to result in cloned human or artificial human having
identical characteristics, both its shape and characters.
(After Dolly, Now Polly, Kompas, July 25 1997)
El
+
7
Yeah... It is still a discourse|
Many pro and against
F ui
PF Oh God... Artificial human ? |
it violates God's will |
[doesnt it?
[Fx have just got a shock . you now!
Why are you lying I want to take away the dangling
| there? || cable... but it electrify me!
Because of electric
shock?
[ Sorry..sorry, Gong
T fixed the lamp and I have a bite to eat, Prof?
forgot to put the cable on |
7 à T7
{Wow.. so up to now | || Maybe. And... its seed is called terminator
Here you are... "Fried Jr wer were well
tempe”...take some
drink in the
| serviced then.
¡Is the "tempe" Oh yes, of course!
made from trans-| Let me tell you, kid! 70
genic soybean, | percent Indonesian soy-
|Prof? bean is imported from
rm America, while 50-70
percent of American
> soybean is genetically
modified product
|
seed. The product yielded can not be
planted. The seed has to be bought
| from Monsanto America, because it
has been patented.
So... if we want to grow
the soybean we have to
buy the seed in America? |
With a frown on
| you thinking about?]|
your face
5
DIE Es
| enthusiasti
| cally,
Petruk tells
his new expe
rience to
| The company has
ec going Tanne, Un Whale way Vorne, Whey Fave Offered rer
genetic modification.
future
Pre
Lanyone 14
Oh no. not necessary,
ts
branch office in Indonesia
under the name PT Monagro|
Kimia,
un]
Here iti Think
there something
| Strange onthe ens
pis pent
N
The seed distribu-
tion has reached
out to our village
"| You may buy it in
Kites Mijem's
stall 4
Feng. what are Y/N nothing, Just..oh.. | Pr Semar, excuse me, — Y
the clouds hanging over
the sky.
dry my mattress in
the sun.
| Les take permission
We have to go home.
I remember Many things we have to do
‘OK. The sooner
‚the better.
NA
Thanks for
[TA the tempe.
Tr must
be antici-
pated
The tempe
is delicious.
Gareng prefers to
learn it with his
friends of NGO.
‘And, Bagong is busy
with his nice dream
[Some days later, Gareng, Petruk and Bagorg meet ai "cakruk” (post For night]
watch). 20. there they have. serious debate.
Trreng, what's your comment an En my opinion, genetic modification
Reng, what's y Je must be prevented.
after our short course with [|]
Professor Semar?
7 gil
Pereuented? What do you mean? [IO] [Several years later we will be
Genetic modification profit. FAY | reset
able, isn't it? | Yield is abundant and farming work is
Do you agree Gong? easier. We have to increase our non:
ges export, doit we?
Well... Okey..we are
now talking about
scientific work.
We have to discuss it
scientifically.
Do not argue!
[You Reng, do not | El
nonsense.
| Yap... Reng
|Tam sorry as |
well
Tve got high
| blood pressure
haha
K
r
in facing the
problem, do not be
absorbed only inits [7
positive side,
Truk, we have to
calculate its negative]
impact as well
L 2
cn ===
Genetically modifying is
essentially modifying natural
thing. It is great.
Remember, however, when
the nature is modified, there
must be a certain reaction.
Now it is not emerged yet.
But, some years later it will
Let's think, genetically
modifying is against the God's
will
Oh, Common, Truk, I do not mean
to mock Baging by call him narrow-
minded. I'm sorry Gong if it
irritates you
I mean, we have to think the
future. How do we face the
negative impact of genetically
modified product... OK Gong?
So... what is your
‘argument, Reng?
Why should we
prevent genetic
modification ?
What you had questioned was |
only the advantage. |
You have to question its |
disadvantage, as well
Tm sure Mr Semar is
intelligent.
He must have been calculating
its loss and benefit
=
Imagine, genetically modifying
means crossing living creature
in different species.
Rice with bacteria, soybean
with Brazilian nut, Tomato and
fish, banana is inserted a
certain virus, etc.
If all of these are consumed
by human being, who can
guarantee its safety...?
A
Reng, you know that the inven-
tors of genetically modified
organism are intelligent
[scientists in advance countries}
They have to be able to
guarantee the result of th
Findin nuclear bomb, |
us in fact, is not |
N va : able to control
Jo |
Remember, Truk.
The inventor of
Let me tell you, nowadays |
many ecologists and
environmentalists are
starting to worry the
impact on the nature
You now, European, Japanese
and Korean consumers, of
advance countries, refuse
the genetically modified
organism,
JOne more. Tf there is no |
problem with genetically
modified organism, why do
the producers of genetically
modified products refuse
to label GMO in its product?)
Ohhh, don't you know?
ia Tam the member of
| OI Buta Awam Foundation.
Thave learned genetically
modified organism
thoroughly, A to Z
So, what Tam talking
about is accountable.
How do you
know, Reng?
Ok. You really know A ok
12 For fairness, Petruk will
I have a question talk about its advantages
What is the loss and and I'l talk about its
gain of genetically impact.
modified organism? SN Is that OK Truk?
K_
The advantage is clear.
The yield is in shorter time
and more quantity.
It increases nutrition, improve | [Vf
health because it contains
vaccine. Less chemical material
or pesticide.
ging of new
disturbing
plants.
Ok. What is its disadvantage,
If the transgenic is
released in nature,
for example in rice-field,
there could be a cross
between transgenic
plants and close species
plants so that it will
cause the growth of
superior grass that is
and it will disturb nature
balance. |
A
Second, the emergence of
superior pest, that is the pest
will be immune against the
poison produced by the >
genetically a
modified
plants.
As a result,
the usual
poison is no
longer
À | effective.
I) citergen. Genetic
manipulation often
fake the advantage
of protein from the
creature that never
In fact, the allergy is
[= by protein.
Fourth, the emergence of new
viruses. Virus gene planted in
the transgenic plant to make
it immune to the virus may
combine with other virus to
make new more dangerous virus.
u
(source: Asia Week DO
ee dl
psi gee |
some concrete examples
| of genetically modified
organism that has been
proven?
LE
o, there are
many. For
instance
em
"The target of Bt- Com | (expert of Cornell University
poison is stalk borer | | whom I read in Nature maga:
farva that has become || Zine, the pollen of corn flower
main pest for corn, yy “ill attach to the wild plants
| However, according to | | around it and it become main
| John Losey, a pest food source for monarch
butterfly and other insect
| which keep the nature balance.
| | They all wil die.
(Source: Trans genetic product
Wisdom or Disaster, Konpas Juy 26, 1999)
[Fine other example is cotton ‘Sulawesi burn transgenic 1
Tronsgenic cotton that has cotton field because of yield
been inserted gene of bacteria failure os the result of the pest
Bacllus Thurngienci is in fact Emphoasca, They felt to be
\rnerable to the cotton green à fooled by PT Monsanto who
Riese nee promises to have yield of 4 tons
Bigutula and the emergence of per hectare and free pesticide.
pest Emphoasca. As the evidence ns enya na
at mid September 2001 Der er
[Famers of Baume South seca ne Toe
4
——
Then, what about Ÿ Fl Well, Transgenic soybean has been
soybean, Reng? inserted by gene of Brazilian nuts.
Ñ 2 Trill bn Grau chantent that
|
is dangerous to be eaten by those who
are sensitive to the Brazilian nuts.
If it is released in field, gene of
| Brazilian nut will cross with non-trans-
genic soybean, so that all of the soy-
|| bean plants will mix with allergen gene.
It is safe, isn't it? Al proven that birds that seek foods at the
@ area of transgenic plants have
decreased their propagation ability.
That is bird, Truk ! How if it is eaten by
Ä human being? Think about it!
— on Summer
E about rice? Who said it so? You know, in Ireland it is
(Transgenic Rice with Vitamin A ond
A Fe: Kompas, 1 August 1999) J
20
FT Woow.. I means that WERE Well 2 can not say that, because
transgenic plant is i the impact of genetically modified
dangerous, Reng? ie organism can be proven five years
A Lier
Learning from green revolution,
however, when farmers are
dependent on fertilizer and
pesticide and the emergence of
„5 pollution of poisonous waste
SSE while the pest is more immune,
7 we can predict the result of
-{ genetically modified will be more
terrible
Po. perhaps genetically
modified organism is just a Exactly! Youve got
trick of some persons there PA Y bright idea, Gong!
to compete with our crops.
| Do you think so, Reng? AT Tr is me
r You know.. nowadays there |
It is the other danger are giant biotechnology |
for us. That is economi industries such as Monsanto]
control by some multinational § N and DuPont? Pioneer Hybrid]
corporations that tread fn The Uaiica States,
on the farmers in developing Astrazeneca from England
countries like us, Gong, and Sweden, Novartis from
Swiss and Agrevo from
Germany,
À They will monopolize world
strategic food sources
They are synergies of
biotechnology and industry.
big capital and patent law
that promising big
profit.
K
Monopoly ?
How does it
work, Reng?
How...?
Well. lets
look at the
next page,
El
==
They have hold patent right for world strategic
agriculture, such as rice, corn, cotton, and nuts
that are planted trans-genetically
With the reason that the plants will yield sooner,
better yield, less chemical fertilizer, etc. they
create “terminator” technology.
That is the yield can not be planted so that we
have to buy the seed from them. It is economic
imperialism,
So, what should we
E El
Then we have to disseminate this
the impact and danger of information to our relatives and
genetic modification mainly neighbors.
undermining the position of So, we have, in fact, included in "global
poor countries. Bad impact struggle” against genetically modified
for the environment and d ‘organism with all of its undercover aims.
angerous for human health.
what
samen m 7
How do we struggle against | Yop... At least we prevent
the popular "mode"? r
We know that multinational
corporation is very rich,
How do we stop it ?
it by boycotting the
transgenic plants into
our country.
y À
/Remem
N ber
| Truk
We are not alone in struggling
Throughout the world, farmers, NGOs,
| independent scientists, are standing
close together to struggle against
genetically modified organism.
F Right! It is Betrayall
The old Semar support the foreign
industrial countries more than our farmers’
interest!
Semar must be exterminated,
| Truk, in this case we can not do nepotism,
If Mr. Semar made mistake we have
| to protest him!
Na)
Well 7
Talking about scientists,
reminds me Professor
Semar!
He is developing genetically
modified product!
Professor Semar may be
the extension of multina-
tional corporation!
| [ Exterminated?! Are you
kidding? He is our father |
Ups.
youre right
You're right, Reng!
Now, let's go to his home
If it is necessary we come
together with farmers
agree?
> ae
Not necessary to come || Hey... Hey
to my home! | No kidding, Semar !
I come here now.
hes
[ ne patient please
Do not be misunderstood.
In fact I have been
hiding there
so that I know all
of what you are talking
about.
¡UN a
Fon No... not at alll
|
W
Wel let me tell you
Laboratory is realy used for
drag ransgene pam
| Beto for devel
"I 7 mr. Semar we want to
protest!
Why do you develop
It is a serious comic! | | genetically modified
organism that inflict
a loss on our farmers?
After knowing all,
what will you do?
Against us?
What do you mean Mr, Semar?
So what do the laboratory
completed with its all equipments
and tools for transgenic plant
research mean?
As ascientist, I have moral responsibilities to protect our farmers
and consumers in developing countries like us.
That is why I join an education program in agricultural biotechnology.
With the expertise I learn, observe, and practice to find out
the advantage and possibility loss caused by genetically
modified organism,
RAS
) Watch out.
Gooong!
I do all of this in order that the Ouh
farmers in developing countries — Tve been fallen
are not imperialized through with Petruk
advance countries’ monopoly.
Land. the conclusions exactly
| like what Gareng said.
Based on the research Tve
| done, I can predict that
genetically modified organism
make the farmers and
consumers in developing
countries sustain a loss.
Re _
Therefore, not necessary to wait | [ Ar village level, we have to be careful
frill five or ten years later, in accepting the seed offered.
we have to start boycotting | It might be genetically modified
[the genetically modified organism | | product from the company such as
| before the victims fall Monsanto.
Ps the global
action is movement
to press government
around the world
Tf necessary, we bring a suit to make obligatory
against Article 27 section A for labeling if
36 of Trips Agreement (1994) E it is genetically
that allows patent on living things. y G, modified product.
At national level, we have to
press the government through
DPR (Parliament) to make a law
on genetically modified organism.
À
iN
Fagree, sir e Y and beginning tomorrow Y
ve Amos. natural ning, Till leave the
And the most varie oe more. | | mering, TI Io
honra wey is | guaranteed rd nor || Mberatory end hew