Hyderabad:
Enthused by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's decision to stop the entry of Bt brinjal into the country, anti-GM (Genetically Modified crops) activists are demanding a review on Bt cotton, the first genetically modified crop to be allowed in India.
Activists are pointing out that similar health and environment risks apply to Bt cotton as well as cotton seed oil is the largest consumed oil in the country.
G.Ramanjaneyulu, Scientist, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, says, "When Bt cotton was released, these studies like long-term impact studies were not done. It was released in a hurry saying it is not a food crop. But cotton seed oil today is the largest consumed oil and cotton seed cake is used widely as cattle-feed and has even entered the food chain as milk etc. So, we need to review this.''
Scientists who carried out safety studies on Bt brinjal insist it reduces contamination with pesticides and say the door cannot be shut on Genetically Modified technology because of mere apprehensions.
B Sesikeran, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) member and Director, says, "We 100 scientists will eat Bt brinjal along with our families for about an year. That's how confident I am about its safety.''
Irrespective of whether or not Bt brinjal is safe, it is a victory for the consumer because for the first time, there has been a public debate on whether or not the people of the country should consume a food product, even before it has been introduced.