(a) Whether the Government has ever conducted any study before the release of different
varieties of Bt. Cotton commercially;
(b) If so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(c) Whether the Government has also conducted any study regarding its affect on soil
fertility;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) The steps taken by the Government to educate the farmers about the benefits and its bad
effect on human health? ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): As per the protocol approved by the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation
(RCGM) of the Department of Biotechnology, various environmental safety assessments of Bt.
Cotton hybrids are done before their release for commercial cultivation. The approved protocol
includes studies relating to pollen escape/ out crossing, aggressiveness and weediness of
Bt.Cotton, effect on non-target organisms, risk assessment of accumulation of Bt. gene in soil,
impact of Bt. gene in soil micro flora, study to evaluate food safety, confirmation of absence of
`terminator gene` and baseline susceptibility studies.
(c) & (d): Studies conducted by the Department of Biotechnology to assess the possible risk
of accumulation of Bt. gene in soil and impact of Bt. protein on soil micro-flora have revealed
that Bt. protein was not detected in soil samples and there was no significant impact on soil
microbial population. Trials conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the
Department of Biotechnology have indicated that Bt. Cotton does not have any harmful effects
on environment, non-target organisms, soil micro-flora, animal and human health.
(e): Public Awareness Campaigns including workshops and training programms are
organized in Bt. Cotton growing States about the issues associated with Bt. Cotton cultivation.