Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Genetic Engineering panel approves commercial release of Bt brinjal

  • Genetic Engineering panel approves commercial release of Bt brinjal

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    Farmers protest in front of Ministers' houses on T. Chowdaiah Road in Bangalore, demanding a ban on Bt Brinjal and other Bt crops, earlier this year. Photo: K. Murali Kumar.

    • The Genetic Engineering Approvals Committee (GEAC) on Wednesday approved the commercialisation of genetically modified Bt brinjal.

      Bt Brinjal still needs the government's nod before its release in the market. If it gets the nod, Bt Brinjal will be the first genetically modified food in India.

    • But opposing the GEAC decision, farmers' union the All India Kisan Sabha said, “There are many unresolved issues surrounding the environmental release of the transgenic vegetable as well as genuine concerns expressed over its safety for human consumption. There is also the added threat of all future seeds and therefore Indian agriculture coming under the control of global MNCs and the charging of extortionate prices from Indian farmers.”
    • Farmers protest in front of Ministers' houses on T. Chowdaiah Road in Bangalore, demanding a ban on Bt Brinjal and other Bt crops, earlier this year. Photo: K. Murali Kumar.
    • In a statement, the Sabha said, “It has been pointed out that some of the 'experts' in the GEAC have conflicts of interest. Certain experts on the committee are reported to have expressed strong objections which were however not taken into account.
    • It pointed out that the European Union has banned genetically modified food crops.