A government panel has cleared commercial use of what would be India’s first genetically modified (GM) food crop, but politicians still have to give final approvals amid wide-spread public opposition.
Technical clearance for indigenously developed GM mustard seeds was given on Aug. 11. . .
The decision to go ahead is likely to be made public soon by the environment ministry’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, and is expected eventually to move to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s desk via Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave.
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The environment ministry said in a statement late on [Aug. 25] that no final decision has been taken yet and that its Genetic Engineering Approval Committee will put up a ‘safety document’ on the issue on its website seeking comments from the public.
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The GM mustard developed by Delhi University scientists makes use of three genes already incorporated in rapeseed hybrids in Canada, the United States and Australia.
Extensive biosafety tests have revealed no cause for concern, according to a field trial report submitted to the government and seen by Reuters.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: GM mustard clears hurdle in India but more remain
