HYDERABAD : Several Genetically Modified (GM) crops are at various stages of research and development in India. There is a need to streamline regulations so that technologies can be taken forward. Biosafety concerns can be clearly addressed by scientific institutions in the country as effective capabilities are available, according to P Ananda Kumar, director, Institute of Agri biotechnology, ANGRAU.
Speaking on the “Role of GM crops: Beyond Bt cotton” at a workshop on Safety Assessment of GM Crops at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) headquarters in Patancheru, organised by ICRISAT and the Biotech Consortium India (BCIL), he said, “The phenomenon success of Bt cotton has clearly shown the need for GM technology to deal with problems being faced by Indian agriculture sector.”“The phenomenon success of Bt cotton has clearly shown the need for GM technology to deal with problems being faced by Indian agriculture sector,” he said. BCIL is an organisation supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and the All India Financial Institutions to facilitate commercialisation of biotechnology and promote awareness on latest developments in the field.
There is a need to streamline regulations so that technologies can be taken forwardParticipants of the workshop included scientists from various public and private sectors engaged in the development of GM crops. Research Institutions engaged in food safety assessment as well as those conducting confined field trials have also nominated scientists to participate.Vibha Ahuja, chief general manager, BCIL introduced the objective of the workshop, highlighting the need for extensive capacity building efforts in the area of safety assessment and of confined field trials using state-of-the-art guidelines.
B Sesikeran, former director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and chairman, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) spoke on science and safety issues with emphasis on food safety. “Indian food safety standards are based on best international practices, and are in accordance with the principles and guidelines of Codex Alimentarius,” he said. He explained the key issues involved in food safety assessment such as, toxicity, allergenicity and compositional analysis, saying that India’s food safety standards provide sufficient information for the safety assessment of GM products.
There is a need to streamline regulations so that technologies can be taken forwardParticipants of the workshop included scientists from various public and private sectors engaged in the development of GM crops. Research Institutions engaged in food safety assessment as well as those conducting confined field trials have also nominated scientists to participate.Vibha Ahuja, chief general manager, BCIL introduced the objective of the workshop, highlighting the need for extensive capacity building efforts in the area of safety assessment and of confined field trials using state-of-the-art guidelines.
B Sesikeran, former director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and chairman, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) spoke on science and safety issues with emphasis on food safety. “Indian food safety standards are based on best international practices, and are in accordance with the principles and guidelines of Codex Alimentarius,” he said. He explained the key issues involved in food safety assessment such as, toxicity, allergenicity and compositional analysis, saying that India’s food safety standards provide sufficient information for the safety assessment of GM products.
All the feed backs of various countries should be taken into consideration. Our traditional varieties should be protected.
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