The following is an edited excerpt.
It’s the future of food.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, under the environment ministry, has given clearances to a few companies and research institutes to conduct field trials for genetically modified rice, wheat, maize, castor and cotton. This is a welcome development after a dreary period during which the ministry announced a moratorium on the commercial release of Bt brinjal after it had been cleared via extensive evaluations by around 200 scientists and experts from over 15 public and private sector institutions. Note that the latest move doesn’t open Indian doors to GM crops indiscriminately, but only recognises that our stagnating agriculture sector cannot afford to shut out the most promising scientific opportunities of today.
Read the full story here: Field trials cleared for genetically modified rice, wheat, maize, castor and cotton
