Regulatory mechanism for GM crops sound: Panel

The mechanism to regulate genetic engineering in agriculture is “generally sound”,the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Committee has said. It has,however,lamented the dearth of “science-informed,evidence-based approach” in the debate on the subject.

“The members of the SAC are concerned that a science-informed,evidence-based approach is lacking in the current debate on biotechnologies for agriculture,” the government said in a statement.

The panel did not specifically refer to Bt Brinjal,which is at the centre of the debate on the ills and benefits of GM foodstuff,but said biotechnology has the potential to transform agriculture and healthcare and that it “is time to evolve a balanced perspective”.

The Environment Ministry suspended,indefinitely,release of Bt Brinjal in 2010,saying its safety and efficacy hadn’t been established beyond doubt.