Counter affidavit on behalf of Chief Municipal Engineer, Patna Nagar Nigam in the matter of Saurav Narayan Vs Bihar Pollution Control Board & Others dated May 20, 2025. The report said that the corporation has been diligently performing its statutory duties within the limitations of the available resources and infrastructure. …
Drawing on the literature on controversies, especially on the health risk assessment of genetically modified organisms in Europe, and long-standing debates in science and technology studies, this article argues that science-based risk assessment has inherent limitations, however rigorous, independent, and peer reviewed the work may be. In this context, the …
In a closely watched case, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday that genes can be patented, overturning a lower court decision that had shocked the biotechnology industry. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which specializes in patent cases, said that Myriad Genetics was entitled to patents on …
It is time to update decades-old regulation of genetically engineered crops. (Editorial) http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v475/n7356/full/475265b.html
A loss for environment is a gain for rural development. That's how an environmental activist responded on hearing news of shifting of Mr Jairam Ramesh from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Rural Development. Hated by corporates and liked by quite a few environmental activists, Mr Jairam Ramesh's …
The Agriculture Department has exempted a genetically engineered grass from federal regulation, a decision that some critics say could portend a loosening in oversight of biotech crops. The department said that an herbicide-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass being developed by Scotts Miracle-Gro was not subject to federal regulation because its creation did …
Scientists are using high-tech gene sequencing machines in a desperate attempt to save the Tasmanian devil from an infectious cancer called devil facial tumor disease that is threatening to wipe out the species. "The disease is like nothing we know in humans or in virtually any other animal. It acts …
How do you propose to deal with conflict of interest in GEAC? Around three months ago a document called Declaration of Independence was prepared. Scientists who are members of GEAC were asked to sign it. The declaration states that a scientist can take decisions independently. If a GEAC member is …
IT is just a 12-member body but the Agricultural Group (AG) of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE-Ag) must be about the most powerful lobby groups in India. Among the dozen companies are the world’s largest biotech companies— Bayer BioScience, Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, PHI Seeds—and a clutch of rising …
The GM crops debate rages, but pressure is on to end the moratoriumActively On Hold? Well... GEAC meets experts in late April, butthrows no light on safety reviews Second report by national science academies supports limited release GEAC chairman rejects limited release; assures further discussions No decision on further tests …
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Efforts to squeeze fuel out of microbes have passed a turning point. (Editorial) http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028135.100-prepare-for-the-renewable-oil-gush.html
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Microbes with tweaked DNA can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into oil, but will it ever power our cars? http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028136.200-renewable-oil-ancient-bacteria-could-fuel-modern-life.html?full=true&print=true
Bt brinjal gets fresh push for clearanceBt Brinjal may soon be back on the menu. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) which met last week is pushing for its "partial release". In February 2010, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had imposed an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of the world's …
The Bt cotton seed companies have got a major blow as Maharashtra, the largest cotton growing state, refused to increase the price of Bt cotton seeds. This is likely to create a severe shortage of seeds in north Maharashtra
The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) is under great pressure to permit the partial release of Bt brinjal. The 19-member Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has informally conveyed to the ministry its keenness to introduce the controversial Bt brinjal at the earliest. Dr Usha Barwale Zehr, joint director, research, …
No decision was taken at the first meeting of experts that deliberated on issues relating to the moratorium on the commercial release of Genetically Modified Bt Brinjal. The experts were invited by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for their views on the controversial issue. Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, …
THE Central Potato Research Institute conducted field trial for genetically modified potato at its Jalandhar research station between October 2010 and February 2011. But the Punjab government failed to monitor it. As per the Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 1986, it is the responsibility of the State Biotechnology Coordination Committees …
The Chinese ministry of agriculture has approved testing on genetically modified (GM) dairy cows for human (breast) milk. If certified, the milk would become China
Ahead of the first meeting of an expert committee of scientists to determine the kind of tests to be conducted on genetically-modified brinjal, commonly known as Bt brinjal, a prominent member of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has resigned from the panel. The resignation of P Anand Kumar comes …
UK scientists have introduced human genes into 300 cows to produce "human" milk that can help to boost the immune system of babies Scientists have for the first time created genetically modified cattle that produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk, a breakthrough that they claim will …
