Following a series of nationwide consultations, the Minister for Environment and Forests (I/C) today announced his decision on the production and use of BT Brinjal. He also made public a copy of his exhaustive report which relies on inputs received from stakeholders from all across the spectrum of scientists, civil society, academics, Chief Ministers of various states and others concerned. Following is an excerpt from the statement issued today:
“Based on all the information presented in the preceding paragraphs and when there is no clear consensus within the scientific community itself, when there is so much opposition from the state governments, when responsible civil society organisations and eminent scientists have raised many serious questions that have not been answered satisfactorily, when the public sentiment is negative and when Bt-brinjal will be the very first genetically-modified vegetable to be introduced anywhere in the world and when there is no over-riding urgency to introduce it here, it is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary principle-based approach and impose a moratorium on the release of Bt-brinjal, till such time independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals, the safety of the product from the point of view of its long-term impact on human health and environment, including the rich genetic wealth existing in brinjal in our country.
A moratorium implies rejection of this particular case of release for the time being; it does not, in any way, mean conditional acceptance. This should be clearly understood.”
Indi Proff
pib
Showing posts with label bt brinjal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bt brinjal. Show all posts
India has set the stage for Genetically Modified Brinjal....know its effects
The data generated on the safety, efficacy and performance of Bt brinjal conclude that Bt brinjal is safe for the consumers and the environment and is expected to provide enhanced economic benefits to farmers accrued from higher marketable yield and lower usage of pesticide sprays.
DNA is present in all living things such as plants, animals, microorganisms and is eaten by human beings with every meal. Most of it is broken down into more basic molecules during the digestion process whereas a small amount that is not broken down is either absorbed into the blood stream or excreted. So far there is no evidence to indicate that DNA from genetically modified foods has any additional risk to human health than DNA from conventional crops, animals or associated microorganisms that are normally eaten.
As per the regulatory requirement, the applicant has undertaken extensive biosafety assessment which includes environmental safety assessment as well as food and feed safety even if it has been approved for commercial cultivation in other countries. The environmental safety assessment includes studies on pollen escape out- crossing, aggressiveness and weediness, effect of the gene on non-target organisms, presence of the protein in soil and its effect on soil micro-flora, confirmation of the absence of Terminator Gene and baseline susceptibility studies. The food and feed safety assessment studies include composition analysis, allergenicity and toxicological studies and feeding studies on fish, chicken, cows and buffaloes. The biosafety data concludes that Bt brinjal is effective in controlling target pests, safe to environment, non-toxic in toxicity and animal feeding tests, non- allergenic and has potential to benefit the farmers
As the Ministry of Environment and Forests has received strong views both in favour and against commercialization of Bt brinjal in India from various stakeholders including the State Governments, farmers, civil societies, NGOs and scientists, the Ministry has decided to hold national consultations with the stakeholders before a final view on the environmental release of Bt brinjal is taken.
(This information was given by the Shri Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and currently looking after Ministry of Environment and Forests in a return reply to question by Dr. Malasamy in the Rajya Sabha today 14th Dec.)
Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
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