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SC urges Centre to decide on policy for commercial release of GM crops
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Friday, 21 July, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Supreme Court has urged the government of India to take a decision soon on the policy for the commercial release and cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) crops like GM mustard.
“The bottom line for any biotechnology regulatory policy should be the safety of the environment, the well-being of farming families, the ecological and economic sustainability of farming systems, the health and nutrition security of consumers, the safeguarding of home and external trade, and the biosecurity of our nation,” wrote M S Swaminathan, geneticist and founder, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in a report in this connection. It was submitted to the ministry of agriculture in 2004.
Swaminathan had also stressed that while evolving a regulatory policy, we should first find out whether the breeder’s objective can be achieved through non-genetically-modified organism (GMO) methods including marker assisted selection.
He also pointed out that the recombinant DNA technology was best used for introducing characters related to drought, floods, coastal storms and other non-biotic stresses.
In the case of biotic stresses, including Bt cotton, there will be mutations and a need to replace the variety frequently.
Swaminathan stated that he hoped a policy, which was in the best interest of the farmer, the country and the environment, will be developed soon without further delay.
“The Norwegian Policy was recommended by a Parliamentary Committee a few years ago. There are several other policies which safeguard concurrently the interests of the producer, consumer and environment,” he added.
“It is high time we develop and introduce a regulatory policy which will inspire public, professional, political and media as well as judicial confidence,” Swaminathan said.
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