Far from resolved
- Environment Minister Mr.Moily’s plans to enable field trails of genetically modified (GM) food crops through a change in official policy, a highly contentious issue.
- He stated in Rajya Sabha that field trails are necessary to generate biosafety data.
- The government will file a affidavit covering various Ministry’s permissions for trails in the Supreme Court.
- The data on biosafety and restrictions of usage on GM crops is an important dimension in India.
Transgenic plant varieties are considered to be safe according to GM crop industry but oppose the labeling of products.- UPA government has permitted field trials of GM food crops which has a transparent regulatory mechanism which does not take needless decisions.
- With dissolution of Lok Sabha, the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill 2013 will lapse before its scrutiny by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology and Environment.
- GM varieties include rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane & vegetable & their impact on health & environment should be considered before granting permission.
- GM agriculture needs scientific assessments to ensure that our diverse agricultural heritage, traditional seed varieties are not wiped out by mono culture.
Exams Perspective:
- Genetically Modified Crops (GM)
- Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill 2013