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 debate around GMOs in our food, farming and environment has only been increasing over time, whether it is in policy circles or in the scientific world, or as a public debate. The "Coalition for a GM-Free India" has been actively involved in generating an informed debate in India on …
The Bio-safety Core Committee may give approval for introduction of genetically modified brinjal, known as Bt brinjal, in the country on Monday. The committee could not reach any decision about the bt variety in its meeting on Sunday, Director General Rafiqul Islam Mondol of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) said …
Legislators on the island of Kauai in Hawaii have approved a bill that would restrict the use of pesticides by companies developing genetically modified crops there. The 6-to-1 vote by the Kauai County Council came just after 3:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, at the end of an emotion-filled hearing …
Opponents of the development of a type of genetically modified (GM) rice enriched with vitamin A are "wicked", the environment secretary has said. In an interview with the Independent, Owen Paterson said they could be condemning millions of people in the developing world to a premature death. Mr Paterson backed …
In a significant ruling, the High Court on Friday dismissed a petition by Mahyco Monsanto and others seeking to quash criminal proceedings against them, University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, and others who have been booked for bio-piracy while developing Bt brinjal. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and Bangalore-based Karnataka …
A number of farmers, students and activists hit the streets on Saturday, taking a stand against genetically-modified crops. The march against Monsanto, a multinational chemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, is being held in hundreds of cities as part of a global protest against genetically-modified food. Demonstrators on Marina beach held …
From a global call to march against genetically modified food crops and Monsanto, to a concrete strategy to conserve freshwater ecosystems, scientists and activists at the international conference on ecosystem conservation, climate change and sustainable Development (ECOCASD) made it clear that indigenous biodiversity protection is crucial to sustenance. As part …
The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for the government to release the genetically modified (GM) crop, Bt Brinjal, in the country. Following a petition filed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, chamber judge of the apex court, stayed a High Court order that barred the …
Makes Codex Alimentarius Commission-based research a prerequisite Six day after a High Court bench allowed the government to release the genetically modified (GM) Bt Brinjal, another bench yesterday barred it until an independent research, based on Codex Alimentarius Commission’s (CAC) standards, is conducted. CAC was constituted by Food and Agriculture …
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has developed some varieties of brinjal, resistant to the insect causing damage to the crop, said a press realease. Brinjal is an important vegetable in Bangladesh. It is grown all over the country throughout the year and is liked by the rich and poor alike. …
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), has appealed to the government for approval to give the seeds of four Bt brinjal varieties to farmers. The research organisation ‘developed’ the seeds by injecting Bt gene into nine indigenous brinjal varieties, BARI sources said. In a press release on Tuesday the BARI said: …
An expert committee has termed sound all scientific findings concerning the country’s first genetically modified (GM) crop — Bt Brinjal — and is now preparing its review report on those for forwarding it to the agriculture ministry, officials said yesterday. On receipt of the experts’ report, the National Technical Committee …
There are only two kinds of genetically modified agricultural products permitted for commercial production in China - cotton and papaya, a news report said. Agricultural authorities have granted certificates of safety to four types of GM produce - cotton, rice, corn and papaya, of which only cotton and papaya have …
Demanding that steps be taken to increase the country's cotton production, Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) on Wednesday said field trials on genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties should be given a go ahead. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual general body meeting, newly elected president of SIMA T Rajkumar …
Group chaired by former UN secretary general urges farmers to shake fear of the unknown and adopt new technologies Concern in Africa over genetically modified crops has been dismissed as fear of the unknown by an environmental group chaired by Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general. A report by …
A group of U.S. farmers, seed companies and others challenging patents on genetically altered crops held by biotech seed giant Monsanto Co. on Thursday appealed their case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The group, made up of 73 organic and conventional family farmers, seed companies and public advocacy interests, sued …
Despite the ongoing controversy over their use, genetically modified (GM) crops have progressively grown in popularity and are now planted in approximately 160 million hectares in 29 countries. In the discussions of biosafety regulations for GM crops and whether to approve such crops for commercialization, many countries, including some African …
GENETICALLY modified crops and vegetables may have become a rage worldwide but these food items, produced in artificial conditions with the aid of special proteins, are poor substitute for organic produce. While such products have become popular in the west due to slick campaigning, there is no doubt that lab …
With all eyes set on the Supreme Court to resolve the controversial issue of GM food crops in India, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday appealed to all stakeholders, including activists and policy makers, to take a "sensible approach" so that it could solve the problem of food security in …
New Delhi : A member of the Supreme Court appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) on GM crops has told the apex court that the five other members on the panel had submitted a report without his “knowledge or consent”. R S Paroda, the representative for the agriculture and plant genetic …
