-The Times of India NEW DELHI: With the deadline of submitting comments of stakeholders on genetically modified mustard to the central biotech regulator coming to an end on Wednesday, both anti and pro-GM groups have stepped up their efforts to bring finer points of their respective arguments in public domain. Ranging from holding 'Sarson Satyagraha' to round table conference in different parts of the country, the anti-GM groups have not only made...
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GEAC sub-panel has experts relevant to safety of GM crops: MoEF
-The Hindu Business Line NEW DELHI: The Ministry ?of Environment and Forest (MoEF) ?has allayed concerns cited by environmentalists that the GEAC sub-committee that studied the bio-safety of GM (genetically modified) mustard did not have any ‘health expert’ on board?.? In a statement issued on Sunday, the ?Ministry clarified that the panel “had experts in subjects relevant to safety evaluation of GE (genetically-engineered) crops. “The GEAC in its 126th meeting held on 04.01.2016,...
More »Centre to consider socio-economic factors in GM crop assessment -Amiti Sen
-The Hindu Business Line Draft guidelines coming soon for comments from stakeholders New Delhi: With the debate on genetically modified (GM) crops getting intense, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is considering the option of putting in place guidelines for socio-economic assessment to judge proposed GM varieties on the basis of factors such as economy, health, environment, society and culture. “Guidelines on socio-economic considerations will make it easier for the Genetic Engineering...
More »Golden rice isn’t ready yet -Aniket Aga
-The Hindu This is hardly a rice ready for cultivation by farmers — it has not even entered the stage of Biosafety evaluation by government regulatory institutions. Recently 110 Nobel Laureates issued a strongly worded plea to Greenpeace to “abandon their campaign against [genetically modified organisms] in general and Golden Rice in particular.” This is not the first time notable scientists have waded into the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops. What...
More »India pushes GM’s frontier again with mustard, but what’s inside it? -Zia Haq
-Hindustan Times In Bollywood romcoms, mustard fields glowing iridescent yellow are an oft-used backdrop for romantic songs. Remember the iconic 1995 hit, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Mustard, as it were, is an onscreen metaphor for vigour and youthful passion. However, looked through a farm scientist’s lens, the traditional Indian mustard isn’t genetically very impressive. It is only half as robustly growing as its east European cousins. Low yields mean India has to...
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