The country may be inching closer to approving the use of Genetically-Modified (GM) mustard crop, the first of its kind, after the Environment Ministry put up its report on public domain seeking comments from experts and stake holders.
While the technical sub-committee constituted by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under Environment Ministry, ruled that its consumption was safe for human and animal health, anti- GM activists have demanded that the full bio safety data should be put out into the public domain at the earliest if this feedback process has to be a meaningful and scientific.
The sub-committee comprising scientific experts examined the bio safety data on GM mustard. After the committee examined it, the report has invited comments up to October 5, before the biotech regulator.
The Genetically Engineered mustard called-hybrid DMH-11 has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), University of Delhi. It has consequently applied to GEAC for approval on hybrid DMH-11 and use of parental events (Varuna bn 3.6 and EH-2 modbs 2.99) for the development of such new generation modifications.
Giving its verdict, the GEAC sub-committee is of the opinion that both the genetically engineered parents, varuna bn3.6 and EH2 modbs 2.99 and the hybrid DMH-11 are substantially equivalent to non genetically engineered conventional mustard and its consumption is safe for human and animal health. The committee also found unlikely the risk of DMH-11 developing to a weed in mustard fields or in the natural ecosystem.
The Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture, however, in a letter to the Environment Ministry demanded that the entire bio safety data needs to be put up in public domain in order to have a meaningful exercise. Further, at least 90 days time should be given for the process.
The letter further mentioned that all feedback should be carefully examined and not curtailed to formats conveniently created to keep out important questions and queries.
The GEAC had earlier given the approval for the release of GM brinjal (Bt brinjal) but the Environment Ministry had subsequently put a moratorium on its commercialisation following widespread protest against GM food crops.