In this paper, assess the impacts of genetically modified eggplant, Bt brinjal, on economic and health outcomes in Bangladesh using a cluster randomized controlled design. Bt brinjal cultivation reduces the cost of pesticide use by 47 percent. This is driven by reductions in the use of pesticides with adverse ecological …
He hogged the limelight for clashes with corporate interests and for outspoken statements. There will soon be a new set of glass doors at Krishi Bhavan. The newly elevated Cabinet Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh plans to bring the doors — a signature element of his interior décor right …
Or why Bt cotton was introduced in the fields while Bt brinjal was embargoed The fate of the controversial Bt brinjal is blowing in the wind! At a meeting of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the apex body for transgenic crops in India, several experts favoured a
When the researchers and agriculturists across the country are having heated debates on introducing BT brinjal in the country, they have forgotten to protect the desi Brinjal variety ‘Sunde Badane’, which is grown only in few places. ‘Sunde badane’ a variety of brinjal found near Biligiri Bhavan at Biligirirangana betta. …
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 …
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 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, …
In the first official meeting of scientists after an indefinite moratorium was placed on the commercialisation of genetically-modified brinjal in February 2010, a number of experts on Wednesday argued against the need for carrying out any further tests and favoured a
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, …
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 …
I suspect Indian scientists have retired hurt to the pavilion. They were exposed to nasty public scrutiny on a deal made by a premier science research establishment, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with Devas, a private company, on the allocation of spectrum. The public’s verdict was that the arrangement was …
The report by an Expert Committee (EC–II) and approval of Bt brinjal by the Genetic Engineering Approval (now Appraisal) Committee (GEAC) in October 2009 led to considerable public outcry and an ongoing debate.
Genetically engineered (GE, also called genetically modified, GM) Bt eggplant (also called talong, brinjal or aubergine) has been engineered to be resistant to injury caused by the eggplant fruit and shoot borer. A genetic cassette containing genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringenesis has been inserted into the DNA of the …
This report analyses major new developments regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in various regions around the world, including new evidence and testimony from Friends of the Earth International’s member groups. This 2011 edition focus particularly on pesticide use, increasing public and legal opposition to GMOs, and the biotech industry’s move …
THREE months after the country’s top science academies released their controversial report backing genetically modified (GM) crops and hastily withdrew it after it was panned by the scientific community, they are back with an updated report—and the verdict is that it is worse than the original. The Inter-Academy Report on …
A leading Indian biochemist has urged the environment and forests ministry to lift the moratorium on Bt brinjal, the country's first genetically modified (GM) food crop developed using a technology supplied by the US multinational seed giant Monsanto. "The moratorium is not affecting the multinational companies but India's own scientists …
A recent article in Current Science for a unified academy of sciences in India begins with a reference to the uproar caused by the inter-academy report on genetically modified (GM) crops. While the case for a unified academy is most welcome, increased participation of scientists would be of help in …
Genetic modification of life forms is a scientific issue and politics does not produce scientific answers. Hence, the debate over commercial cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) crop should be approached scientifically, says an eminent geneticist.
It will be very unwise on the part of Kerala to ask public sector institutions to do research on genetically modified (GM) crops, the former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board V.S. Vijayan has said. He was speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday. A public sector unit …
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has clarified that the LDF Government still stands by its decision to ban the cultivation of Bt brinjal in the state. Speaking at the valedictory of International Congress on Kerala Studies here, Pinarayi referred to the controversy over the statement made by CPM leader …
