-The Guardian Don't believe the hype: GM is in the grip of a few firms that profit from selling the chemicals they engineer their seeds to resist Thirty years ago, genetic engineers hoped new technology would revolutionise world farming and reduce or even eliminate the need for fertilisers and pesticides. It was a noble idea that deserved success. But only promises came. In the 1990s the public was told genetic modification would...

-The Hindu In a typical case of putting the cart before the horse, the Health Ministry is now in the process of amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to regulate human Clinical Trials taking place in the country. More than the death of over 2,000 people during 2008-2011 in Clinical Trials, it was the recent rap by the Supreme Court that has shaken the government from its “deep slumber” and...

-Live Mint Court says legal, ethical issues involved; directs govt to monitor and regulate Clinical Trials of all experimental drugs  The Supreme Court directed the health ministry to monitor and regulate all Clinical Trials of experimental drugs in the country until further notice and observed that unregulated trials have caused “havoc”. The apex court order on Thursday revoked the power of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization under the Drugs Controller General of...

-Deccan Herald The Supreme Court said Thursday that unregulated Clinical Trials of new drugs were causing "havoc" in the country as it ordered the health ministry to monitor any new applications for tests. The comments were made during a hearing on a petition detailing deaths and health problems caused by Clinical Trials carried out on Indians, often without their knowledge or consent. "Uncontrolled Clinical Trials are causing havoc to human life," Justice RM...

-The Times of India The new Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) guidelines meant to help calculate compensation in case of Clinical Trial related injury or death in a fair and equitable manner seem to be loaded against the very people it is meant to help. The guidelines suggest a formula based on the income of the injured or dead person along with age and severity of disease. Such a formula raises...