Genetically Engineered (GE) crops are organisms created artificially in labs through a process called recombinant DNA technology. The unpredictability and irreversibility of Genetic Engineering and the uncontrollability of GE crops in the environment coupled with studies pointing at the potential risk to human health and environment has resulted in a controversy across the world around the need for introducing such potentially risky organisms. This had also resulted in most countries in the world putting in place a precautionary approach towards GMOs reflected in their regulatory systems. India currently has a regulatory system in place, the intention and efficiency of which had been under question.

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The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India [BRAI] bill is to be tabled in the ongoing budget session of the parliament.

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The last and final public consultations by the Minister for Environment and forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, saw some dramatic developments today the most important being the former Monsanto India Managing Director Mr. T.V. Jagdishan saying no to Bt Brinjal. Scientists in huge majority asking for a Ban on Bt Brinjal and The minister announced that a final decision on Bt Brinjal will be made by him on the 10th of February at 12.30 pm.

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ShareGreenpeace welcomes the minister’s decision not to allow Bt brinjal to contaminate Indian agriculture.
The minister must now reassure the nation that the moratorium will not lead to a back door entry of Bt brinjal or the 55 other food crops which are in different stages of trial in the country.
Stringent monitoring measures should be immediately [...]

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After being postponed twice, the Bangalore public consultation finally took place on Saturday. Like all the other consultations this one too said a no to Bt Brinjals. This was the last consultation in the series of seven which took place in different parts of the country.

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Approximately 50 activists against Bt Brinjal geared up for the consultation early on Sunday morning in Hyderabad. However, once we reached the main gates of the Central Research institute of Dryland agriculture (CRIDA), we were stopped by the police who saw some of us in Brinjal costumes and carrying placards. One of the inspectors outside even told us that he didn’t want us to go in because we are saying No to Bt Brinjal! After much persuasion that this is a public consultation and we have every right to be there, they let us in.

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ShareKolkata, January 27th 2010: Representatives of Scientists, activists, farmers and agricultural labour unions today expressed the need for a national ban on Bt Brinjal, the first GM food crop in India to have reached a commercialization stage and deliberated on its impact on the environment, agriculture and livelihoods of farmers in West Bengal.
Bt Brinjal, a [...]

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On the day of Gandhi Smriti, consumers, farmers, youth and scientists in Bangalore observed a day of hunger fast expressing their unwillingness to accept Bt Brinjal. Genetic Engineering Approval Commoittee (GEAC) approval of Bt Brinjal in October without proper tests has caused national outrage among independent scientists, consumers, farmers and civil society groups.

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A greater number of concerns were voiced at the fifth of the seven consultations on Bt Brinjal. This was held at the Law Bhawan, Chandigarh. A majority, which represented farmers, scientists, NGOs and other groups, said ‘No To Bt Brinjal’.

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Vegetable buyers who came to the Chennai’s T.Nagar vegetable market on Thursday were greeted by a rare sight of live brinjals talking to them about the need to save the ‘real’ brinjal.

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