No Bt brinjal till independent studies clears safety: Jairam Ramesh

The government today said a moratorium on Bt brinjal has been imposed till independent scientific studies establish its safety to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals.

"The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in consultation with eminent scientists would draw up fresh protocols for specific tests to establish safety of the genetically-tweaked vegetable," environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Some of the state governments, NGOs and some sections of the scientific and farming communities expressed apprehension on the safety of Bt brinjal and called for extreme caution as it is the first genetically modified food crop to be introduced in the country, he added.

Ramesh said the government is following a policy of case-by-case approval of GM crops.

"In view of various concerns related to the safety, efficacy and agronomic performance of transgenic seeds, extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process takes place before any GM crop is approved for commercial cultivation," he added.

The environmental safety assessment includes studies on pollen escape out-crossing, aggressiveness and weediness, effect of the gene on non-target organisms, presence of protein in soil and its effect on soil and baseline susceptibility studies, the minister said.