(a) whether field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop (transgenic crop) are in jeopardy;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has given permission for commercial production of transgenic crops;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has carried out any scientific study of GM crops impact on people’s health and if so,the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) Field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard were completed by the applicant as per “Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for conduct of Confined Field Trials of Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants, 2008” stipulated by Government of India. These field trials were conducted under the overall supervision of Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Directorate of Rapeseed - Mustard Research, Bharatpur.
(c) & (d) As on date, Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop approved by the Government for commercial cultivation in India. Two events of Bt Cotton, namely Bollgard –I and Bollgard –II, were approved for commercial cultivation in 2002 and 2006, respectively.
(e) With a view to ascertain the safety of GM crops on human health, scientific assessment of compositional analysis, toxicity, allergenicity, pepsin digestibility, thermal stability etc. are conducted prior to their release by the applicant, as per “Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Foods derived from GE Plants, 2008” issued by the Government of India.
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