Monday, February 15, 2010

Chavan bats for Bt brinjal

Minister of state for science and technology Prithviraj Chavan has strongly defended the tests conducted on Bt brinjal before it was declared as "safe" and has said opposition to GM foods cannot be a case of "throwing the baby out with the bath water".

Chavan told TOI that he was not opposed to more tests being conducted on Bt brinjal but did not think this would need two years -- the time period of the moratorium announced by environment minister Jairam Ramesh. "The tests have been conducted over nine years and I think the scientists have done a thorough job," he said.

On allegations of a conflict of interest involving Maharashtra hybrid seed corporation being associated with US food corporate Monsanto, the minister said the essential issue was whether testing had been rigorous. "The science is okay. The testing has involved Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and university of agricultural sciences as well besides Mahyco," he said.

The minister pointed out that there were several aspects to the controversy over Bt brinjal as it involved developing a transgenic food that was resistant to pests. "There are interests that will be affected by a sharp reduction in the use of pesticides as well. I think the food is safe. If more tests can further establish this, I am fine with that," Chavan said.

The minister's decision to bat for scientists and experts on the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee is a bid to counter the impression that an unsafe food was approved without due testing of bio-safety, environmental and toxicity implications. It has also been said that arguments in favour of Bt brinjal had got drowned out by activists in the public hearings conducted by Ramesh.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chavan-bats-for-Bt-brinjal-says-its-safe/articleshow/5573629.cms

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