Further, safety test studies on lactating cows, buffaloes, poultry and fish are under progress. The safety test study on goats was conducted at the Industrial Toxicological Research Centre, Lucknow. Official sources say that only after the completion of the full evaluation of Bt cotton, its commercial release in the country would be considered. However, countries like the US, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, China and South Africa have adopted Bt cotton having the CrylA(c) gene for commercial cultivation.

Regulatory authorities in the US, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Canada, Japan, China, Indonesia and South Africa have been reviewing the extensive safety assessment studies conducted on the Bt cotton seeds of Monsanto, and have concluded that the Bt cotton and cotton seeds pose no threats to food, feed and environmental safety.

The Indian Bt cotton, which has been developed by Monsanto, contains genes of soil bacteria found in the country. Monsanto claims that this variety of Bt cotton is different and the crop grown out of this seed is resistant to pests as it contains gene of the soil bacteria found in the country. Monsanto has entered into a technical and marketing collaboration with the Mumbai-based Mahyco, for commercialisation of this developed variety of Indian Bt cotton seeds.

Accordingly, Mahyco had applied for clearance of Indian Bt cotton seeds to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) under the Union ministry for environment. The GEAC after conducting 40 locational field trials under the bio-safety laws and protocols prevalent in the country evaluated the safety aspects of the Indian Bt cotton seeds and crops.

After the evaluation by GEAC, the Research Committee on Genetic Monitoring (RCGM) under the department of bio-technology is evaluating the safety aspect of the Indian Bt cotton before its commercial use. At present field trials are being conducted by RCGM in coordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).