Don’t block GM research, Pawar tells states

Almost three years after a genetically-engineered variety of brinjal (Bt brinjal) was put on indefinite hold — putting a question mark on the fate of genetically-modified crops in India — the government is making efforts make up for the time lost and put research in GM science back on track.

In a fervent appeal to all chief ministers, some of whom have taken a public position against GM crops, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said opposition to GM crops must not be based on "unfounded apprehensions".

"Conventional agricultural technologies may be inadequate" to meet India's food security challenges, Pawar has said, and asked all states to ensure that "adequate and fair opportunity is given to scientific efforts to develop GM crops" by allowing "field trials".

"Any hesitation... would not only demoralise our scientific community but also render meaningless the progress made by us... and increase our future dependence on other countries where research in transgenics is being given more and more importance," Pawar wrote to CMs earlier this month.

"Any hasty decision to block the progress of science will have long-term implications for our country which will have to be borne by the next generation," he said.

Pawar's letter coincides with a renewed effort by the scientific community to ensure biotechnology research is not stalled by concerted campaigns by activists, many of whom are "ideologically" opposed to GM crops. At a meeting earlier this month, the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister (SAC-PM) lamented the lack of "science-informed, evidence-based approach" in the debate on genetic engineering in agriculture.

SAC-PM chairperson Prof CNR Rao told The Indian Express Thursday that it was time to review "the manner in which we have been conducting the scientific debate on GM crops".

"While care must be taken to ensure safety... the attempt should be to keep moving forward, not stall everything," Prof Rao said.

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