Anti-GMO Indian environmentalists try to derail GMO mustard commercialization

mustardindia

Dr Pushpa M Bhargava, India’s premier geneticist, who was appointed to [India’s] GEAC [Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee] by the apex court, has warned that opening the door to GM crops at the macro level could prove disastrous.

At the heart of the controversy lies the transgenic crop, Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi.

Some scientists from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)…have endorsed the GEAC decision and dashed off a letter to the [Prime Minister’s Office] stating that the government must quickly implement this decision as it would help lift farmers out of poverty by 2022.

However, others have insisted that more data must be provided by the Center for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants before such a crucial decision…can be taken. They argue that GM mustard could end up destroying our many varieties of Swadeshi mustard.

Most of [India’s] mustard producing states, including Harayana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh oppose the rollout of GM mustard. Millions of mustard growing farmers across the country are eagerly watching the Supreme Court hearings. After all, their livelihood is at stake.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: As Modi govt ponders GM mustard crop rollout, scientists warn that India could lose her agricultural independence

 

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