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New Delhi, Sept 23: A network of over 20 NGOs and consumer groups, who are not satisfied with the way the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is handling the proposed field trials of Bt brinjal, has set up a panel of independent scientists to review the hazards relating to this transgenic food crop.
This panel consists of KP Parabhakaran Nair, visiting fellow of the Royal Society of Belgium, MS Chari, former director of Central Tobacco Research Institute, A Narayanan, principal, agriculture college, Acharya NGR Reddy University, Ramesh Bhatt, toxicologist formerly with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), D Narasimgha Reddy, science policy expert formally with the Hyderabad Central University and Ghafoorunish, biochemist formerly with the NIN.
Several NGOs and scientists had raised objections to the proposed field trials of Bt brinjal hybrids developed by Mahyco in collaboration with Monsanto. The GEAC, in response to these objections, set up an in-house panel headed by the Delhi University VC, Deepak Pental to review the case. “We do not have faith in this GEAC panel. We decided to set up a panel of independent experts,” said Kavitha Kuruganti of the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.
The Supreme Court on last Friday, in its interim verdict, had cautioned GEAC not to approve field trials of any GM crops before the final judgement is passed in a writ filed by Aruna Rodrigues and others asking for a moratorium on GM crops. The Court has also asked GEAC to co-opt the services of independent experts.
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