India delayed approval of its first genetically modified food crop today after environmentalists and scientists warned that it had been passed by a government safety body despite not being properly tested.
Jairam Ramesh, the Environment Minister, said that the decision to delay permission for the cultivation of Bt brinjal – a variety of aubergine into which a toxic gene that poisons insect pests has been inserted – reflected “a cautious, precautionary, principle-based approach”.
Further independent safety tests will be conducted.
The moratorium comes despite the crop being approved by India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, a panel of government-appointed scientists charged with determining the safety of GM cropsIt also follows a series of meetings called by Mr Ramesh to canvass public opinion, many of which were disrupted by GM opponents.
Pushpa Bhargava, a scientist who sat on the committee, told The Times that the safety data on Bt brinjal presented to the GEAC had been “unacceptable and incomplete” – partly because most of it was supplied by Mahyco, the company that developed the new vegetable.
He was outvoted when the committee, which included several scientists with ties to Mahyco, gave its approval in October.
Opponents had warned that not enough was known about the effects of the new variety on humans and the environment. Long-term toxicity and the risk of dangerous mutations had not been ruled out, they argued.
Leaders of farmers' unions had reacted angrily at the prospect of relying on overseas suppliers for expensive new seeds.
Source:The Times
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