Replying to a debate on the subject, the minister said that the interests of farmers would be fully secured. ``We were the quickest the react after a patent on control of plant gene expression was jointly taken by Monsanto and the US Department of Agriculture,'' he added. But a demand to direct the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which was conducting tests, though not on Terminator technology, in collaboration with Monsanto to terminate its agreement did not find favour with Som Pal.

He also said that the Department of Biotechnology had permitted Monsanto to test ``Bt'' cotton seeds. Initiating the discussion, K R Malkani (BJP) warned the gene manipulation technologywas an American attempt to wage biological warfare and said that it was a threat to the country's food security. ``I am extremely sorry that an institute of such repute as the Indian Institute of Science should enter into agreement with Monsanto,'' he remarked.

Echoing the view, S M Krishna (Cong) said that he was surprised how IISc. had fallen prey to the conspiracy of Monsanto.

Referring to the attacks by farmers on sites where trials on transgenic cotton were being conducted, he said that if IISc did not abrogate its understanding with Monsanto, political parties would have to get into the act.