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 …
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued an interim order to the government to prohibit imports of genetically modified (GM) seeds including those supplied by Monsanto, a US- based chemical and agricultural biotechnology company. The newfangled seeds can be used for growing crops only once, and cannot be reproduced unlike regular …
Britain's farm minister called on the European Union to approve a strain of genetically modified maize in a vote later this month, saying such a move was supported by scientific evidence. "If approval is granted ... then it will be the first GM food crop authorised for planting by the …
Govt. committee headed by Cabinet Secretary readies draft affidavit If the Environment Ministry relents, the government will intend slamming the Supreme Court’s Technical Expert Committee (TEC) on genetically modified (GM) crop regulations. The draft affidavit prepared jointly by the Ministries of Agriculture and Science to be submitted to the court, …
Apprehensions of various sections must be allayed: M.S. Swaminathan In matters relating to genetically modified (GM) food crops, the government should ‘hasten cautiously,’ said eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan. He was speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Wheat Breeding Research Station of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute …
A writ was filed in the Supreme Court on Sunday seeking the court’s intervention to prevent the import of genetically modified (GM) seeds developed by Monsanto Company, a USA-based chemical and agricultural biotechnology company. Advocate Arjun Aryal, who filed the writ, has maintained that GM seeds hamper local verities of …
Dissolution of climate change ministry and more than 60 per cent slash in its development budget has failed to dampen the passion of its officials as they continue to take practical steps to mitigate and adapt to worsening impacts of climate change. After winning laurels for $3.8 million World Bank …
Supporters of genetically-modified (GM) crops are likely to draw the Supreme Court’s notice on the retraction by the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal of the only study on adverse effects of GM corn to justify their case for allowing field trials in the country. The Supreme Court will resume hearing …
Vandana Shiva, a renowned environmentalist, has said the genetically modified organism (GMO) is not inventions but the genetic contamination that destroys ecology, diversity and resilience of local crops. Delivering lecture on Seed Freedom and Food Freedom in Times of Globalisation at Mahesh Chandra Regmi Lecture series in the Capital on …
With ceremonious flourish last week, Governor Dannel Malloy signed into law a bill that would require labeling on all products meant for human consumption that contain genetically modified ingredients (GMO). The legislation was passed by voters in June and actually received the governor's formal endorsement at that time. The Dec. …
Contrary to the perception that young farmers are abandoning active farming, the survey conducted by the Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (ISCI) demonstrates that Bt cotton technology has attracted young farmers to cotton farming in the country. "More than 50% of respondent Bt cotton farmers were from the lower middle …
A top U.S. Federal Reserve official on Monday suggested that farmers consider a path toward internationally accepted standards for genetically modified crops, following rejections of U.S. corn shipments by China. Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Richard Fisher told a gathering of farmers in Chicago that it was important that the …
A new German grand coalition government would seek tougher regulations in the European Union for labeling of meat from farm animals that have eaten genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), a policy draft showed. Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) are starting a decisive week of German coalition talks and are …
This Act shall: Be called the Biosafety Act of Bhutan, 2013; Extend to the whole of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This Act shall apply to: All genetically modified organisms; Products derived from genetically modified organisms; All stages of import, export, and direct use of products that have genetically modified content …
The governing body on the Hawaiian island of Kauai voted on Saturday to override their mayor's veto of a bill that seeks to reign in widespread pesticide use and the testing of new genetically modified crops. The Kauai County Council's 5-2 vote means agricultural companies will be unable to plant …
After pioneering the cultivation of corn thousands of years ago, Mexico must overcome the weight of history to give the go-ahead to allow genetically modified strains into its fields. Religion, culture and science are competing for primacy in the debate on how acceptable corn produced by genetically modified organisms (GMO) …
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday that governments approve only the third ever genetically modified crop for cultivation in Europe, but took steps to avert an expected backlash from France and other GMO opponents. The proposal covers an insect-resistant maize developed jointly by DuPont and Dow Chemical which, if approved, …
Opponents of a Washington state ballot measure that would have required labeling of foods containing genetically modified crops declared victory on Tuesday, citing early voting results. The measure, known as I-522, appeared headed for defeat, 45 percent in favor to 55 percent opposed, with more than 980,000 ballots counted on …
Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to approve commercial cultivation of transgenic Bt brinjal. National Committee on Biosafety (NCB), the highest regulatory body for GM crops in Bangladesh, officially approved the Bt brinjal varieties on 31 October. With this step, Bangladesh becomes the 29th country in the world …
A consortium of Indian environmental activists has expressed fears that genetically modified brinjal, not yet approved for cultivation in India, may slip into the country from Bangladesh where it is under assessment for possible commercial release. The Coalition for a GM-free India, a group of non-government organisations, has asked Delhi …
Bangladesh has approved the commercial cultivation of transgenic Bt brinjal, becoming the first country in South Asia to cultivate the genetically modified food crop. This has triggered concerns among environmentalists in India, who have urged the Government to take all steps to safeguard food and seed supply, apart from bio-diversity. …
