With the Bt brinjal issue sparking a controversy, agricultural experts and farmers' leaders today underlined the need for caution on the rapid introduction of genetically modified crops.
With the Bt brinjal issue sparking a controversy, agricultural experts and farmers' leaders today underlined the need for caution on the rapid introduction of genetically modified crops and favoured addressing larger issues like setting up an independent bio-testing facility.
Alleging that the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is not competent enough, Suman Sahai, director, Gene Campaign, said, "If the regulatory process is as casual as it is in India, how can the public be confident? There is need for an independent bio-testing facility in India".
"Genetic engineering tends to break the balance and equilibrium of nature," she said. Vijay Krishnan of the All India Kisan Sabha said, "We are not against genetically modified crops. Production enhancing techniques are what we are looking for but issues like bio-safety and human reaction need to be looked into".
Krishnan wondered if GM is the only way forward for a vast country like India. Trying to quell the confusion among people on Bt Brinjal, KC Bansal of Indian Agricultural Research Institute said, "Popular notion that the introduction of GM crops like Bt brinjal will result in extinction of other varieties of Brinjal is totally untrue".
"We have to think of the entire gamut of solutions available to us rather then worrying about a certain variety like Monsanto," said Satyajit Rath of National institute of Immunology. Rath also threw his weight behind the proposal to set up an independent bio-testing facility.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}