Freeze on Bt Brinjal setback for biotechnology: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw today termed the government's moratorium on commercialisation of Bt Brinjal as a "big setback" for biotechnology saying that investment in agri-biotech research would be adversely impacted.

"This decision is certainly a big setback for biotechnology and I am afraid it will thwart further investment in agri-biotech research," she told PTI. However, if the decision is due to the need for more data, she was okay with the decision.

"Regulators can always choose to ask for more data if there is a concern expressed. This is quite normal even in the case of drug approvals," Mazumdar-Shaw said. "However, I am disappointed that Bt technology is not better accepted after the success of Bt cotton," she added.