No GM, If Bio-safety & Socio-economic not evaluated

Genetically Modified seeds has been making much of a fervor in the media, among the agricultural platforms and the allied sector. In a new bid by the parliamentary standing committee, a new word has yet again twisted the topic of introduction on GM seed in the Indian market. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Environment and Forest made its comment on the much discussed GM crop and its effect in its 301st report on 'GM crop and its impact on environment'.

A Parliamentary panel has said, no genetically modified (GM) crop should be introduced in the country unless the biosafety and socio-economic desirability is evaluated in a transparent process and an accountability regime is put in place. The Committee has also recommended that the Environment Ministry should examine the impact of GM crops on the environment thoroughly, in consultation with all stakeholders, so that the nation is very clear about all its probable effects. 

The report of the Committee, chaired by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury, was presented to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.The remarks come after India's GM crop regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee recently recommended the commercial use of genetically modified mustard in a submission to the Environment Ministry.