The Hindu Business Line : Bt brinjal gets biotech regulator’s approval

The Government is said to have reserved its opinion on allowing Bt Brinjal, reports said. Now, Bt cotton is the only GM crop allowed in the country.

Sagar Bhadra
P.T. Jyothi Datta

Mumbai, Oct. 14 In a significant development, the Indian biotechnology regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has given its green signal to the environmental release of Bt brinjal, the first genetically modified food crop to be allowed in the country.

However, the Government is said to have reserved its opinion on allowing Bt brinjal, news reports said, against the backdrop of the controversy over commercially allowing a GM food product and the impact it could have on the health of people. At present, Bt cotton is the only GM crop allowed in the country.

In a GM product, the genetic material is altered in an effort to bring in a health benefit to the consumer or a benefit to the producer; for instance, incorporating resistance against a pest in a crop. Environmental groups, however, question the bio-safety of such products.

“The decision is quite unfortunate with all the existing concerns about Bt brinjal,” said Mr Rajesh Krishnan of Greenpeace India. Greenpeace has a grassroots initiative where over 40,000 e-mails and 5,000 faxes were sent and over 100 calls were directed to the office of the Union Environment Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, urging him to stop the commercial sale of GM food.

However, Dr Sajiv Anand, Director, All India Crop Biotechnology Association, observed: “GEAC is an apex body of scientists who have looked at every possible bio-safety issue before clearing the crop.” Further, he added, “It is unlikely that Bt brinjal will not get approval from the Government.”

But Mahyco, the company that will sell the Bt technology to local farmers, said that it was still awaiting the decision.

A positive decision will help million brinjal farmers who have been suffering from the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (BFSB) pest, said Mahyco’s Managing Director, Mr Raju Barwale. Insect-resistant Bt brinjal has been in development for nine years. It has been tested in full compliance with the guidelines and directives of the regulatory authorities to ensure its safety.

Related Stories:
TN agri varsity plans multiple outlets to distribute Bt brinjal seeds
Mahyco not averse to labelling of Bt brinjal
Bt brinjal awaits statutory nod for commercial release

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