The NDA government has decided to allow scientific trials of some GM crops, which it had put on hold, but it would ensure these would strictly adhere to all norms governing such field evaluation.
The government is of the view that the “progress of science” itself cannot be stopped and there is a distinction between scientific evaluations and approval for commercialisation.
“You will see trial of GM crops soon,” environment minister Prakash Javadekar said, in the first official confirmation of the government’s approach of allowing GM crops for trials. The minister said however he had not yet signed off the decision.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, a regulatory panel under the environment ministry, recently recommended field trials of 15 GM crops, including rice, chickpea, brinjal and mustard.
Read the full, original article: Field trial of GM crops to begin soon: Javadekar
