Scientists working on 21 GM crops

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Chennai, Jan 12: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has found that research to develop genetically modified (GM) crops are in various stages of commercialisation in 15 developing countries in three continents. There are different stages in GM research like experimental, confined field trials, pre-commercial trials and commercial release. The researches are taking place mostly in the public domain.

The study released recently in Washington was a joint effort of partners from these 15 countries and IFPRI to analyse the current state of research, regulation, genetic resources and institutional roles in developing GM crops.

It is mainly in 10 crops that the largest number of genetic transformation efforts are taking place. They are rice, potatoes, maize, papayas, tomatoes, cotton, soyabeans, wheat, alfalfa and sugarcane. The greatest number of GM modification trials are for rice, potatoes, maize and papaya.

Some countries are working on five or fewer crops, whereas others like China (30 crops) India (21), South Africa (20) are working on more.

In Asia, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand are having GM crop programmes. Indian agriculture institutions in the public and private sectors are conducting research on crops like rice, cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, citrus, eggplant, mung beans, muskmelon, mustard/rapeseed, potaotes and tomatoes.