The scientific and policy debate on the potential benefits and risks of biotechnologies remains polarized. As more genetically modified crops, insects, and fish are developed, the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity provides a forum to monitor developments and address risk assessment and risk management …
Seed companies and agriculture research institutes in India can go ahead with scientific filed trials of different transgenic varieties of GM crops which had got clearance from the government's regulatory body - Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) — in March last year. A day after agriculture minister Sharad Pawar specified …
Various organisations opposed to the release and field trials of genetically modified (GM) seed have decided to intensify their agitation in the state. Briefing mediapersons on the outcome of a two-day orientation workshop on GM crops and bio-safety, Rajesh Krishnan, national convener, Coalition for GM-free India, and Umendra Dutt of …
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) is seeking regulatory approvals for field trials in genetically modified (GM) rice and cotton lines that can grow under water-stressed and saline environments, besides requiring less nitrogen fertilisers. The ₹700-crore company has developed these new plants using proprietary genes belonging to Arcadia Biosciences, a privately-held …
Country's private seed companies sought government permission to produce and market genetically engineered (GE) variety Bt Brinjal, officials said. "Six Bangladeshi seed companies including Supreme Seed Company Ltd, GETCO Agro Vision Ltd and Lal Leer Seed Co Ltd, who are engaged in vegetables, rice and maize seed business, have sought …
After more than 15 years of using genetically modified crops, U.S. farmers are continuing to see an array of benefits, but the impacts on the environmental and on food production are mixed, and high farmer use of a popular herbicide on GMO crops is a cause for ongoing concern, according …
Biotechnology and Information Technology, having been frequently referred to as the technologies of 21st century, Tamil Nadu was one of the few States which saw its potential early and formulated a separate Biotechnology Policy a decade ago. The new policy is designed to facilitate new biotech companies to come to …
France published a decree on Monday to prevent the planting of genetically modified maize as a stopgap measure, while the government works on changes to domestic and European laws to ensure a longer-term ban. The French government, which maintains that GM crops present environmental risks, has been trying to institute …
Campaigners against genetically modified crops on Tuesday urged the government to immediately withdraw genetically modified Bt brinjal sapling and stop the process of introducing other GM crops including ‘potato and golden rice.’ At a human chain formed in front of the National Press Club, they also warned that European countries …
European Union ministers hit deadlock on Tuesday on whether to let a new strain of genetically modified (GM) maize be grown on EU soil for human consumption, clearing the way for the bloc's executive arm to approve the crop automatically. European Commission endorsement of insect-resistant Pioneer 1507, developed jointly by …
The government has allowed commercial cultivation of Bt cotton, while moratorium has been put on Bt brinjal There are no "credible scientific reports" to prove that genetically modified (GM) crops have adverse impact on environment, human health and livestock, the government said in Parliament today. "No madam, there are no …
In exercise of the powers conferred under section 31 of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (XXXIV of 1997), Governor of the Punjab is pleased to make the following rules: These rules may be cited as the Punjab Bio-safety Rules 2014.
Import, transit, research and development and introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) capable of reproducing in the natural environment will become illegal in Bhutan with the enactment of the biosafety bill. Read more in this January 2014 edition of the Monthly Overview on State of Environment, Bhutan. ENVIRONMENT The grant …
Critics of genetically modified crops protested at Monsanto Co's annual shareholders meeting on Tuesday, calling for the world's largest seed company to provide a report on contamination in non-GMO crops and to stop fighting mandatory labels on foods containing GMO ingredients. The requests came in the form of two shareholder …
The Supreme Court today continued its stay order against the ban on the import and distribution of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seeds. A division bench of Justices Kalyan Shrestha and Tarka Raj Bhatta issued the order following today’s hearing on a petition to ban GMO seeds. It pointed that such …
Authorities in Bangladesh have released the country’s first ever genetically modified crop to farmers amid criticism from environmental groups, officials said on Friday. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has begun distributing the seedlings of four types of genetically modified aubergine following approval from the government’s biosafety regulator. “We have released …
The Supreme Court on Sunday continued its previous stay order banning the import of genetically modified (GM) seeds, including those supplied by Monsanto, a US-based chemical and agricultural biotechnology company. A division bench of justices Kalyan Shrestha and Tarka Raj Bhatta maintained such seeds could have effects on food security …
While the government is looking to deliberate on the bio-safety bill in the upcoming session, some sections are cautioning more awareness and consultation on the subject before finalising the law. The highlight of the bill is on regulating and monitoring genetically modified organisms (GMO) and other products derived from GMOs. …
Bt Brinjal, (also known as eggplant, begun, or aubergine), a genetically modified food crop, inserted with a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis, has been approved by the National Committee on Biosafety (NCB) in Bangladesh for limited scale cultivation by farmers. In an October 30 notification (reference No.22.00.0000.073.05.003.2012-271), last …
Four U.S. lawmakers joined with more than 200 food companies, organic farming groups, health and environment organizations and other groups on Thursday to urge President Barack Obama to require manufacturers to label food products that contain genetically engineered ingredients. The groups delivered a letter to the president dated January 16 …
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Monsanto Co's biotech seed patents on Monday, dealing a blow to a group of organic farmers and other activists trying to stop the biotech company from suing farmers if their fields contain a few plants containing the company's genetically modified traits. The Organic Seed Growers …
