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India: Genetic Engineering Approval Committee plays safe on Bt cotton approvals
New Delhi, India
October 14, 2005

By Ashok B Sharma, Financial Express via Checkbiotech

The controversy over the performance of Bt cotton in India is far from over. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) tried to mediate over the controversy arising out of the publication of a research paper in July edition of Current Science written by Dr KR Kranthi and others of the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR).

It deliberated twice in two successive meetings in August and September and failed to give a clear verdict. It came to the conclusion “that there is a possibility of variation in the Cry 1Ac protien expression in specific tissue of the plant depending on the genetic background of the host and the environment in which it is deployed.”

The scientific paper itself is a study on “temporal and intra-plant variability of Cry 1Ac expression in Bt cotton and its influence on the survival of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.” The inserted transgene Cry 1Ac is designed to counter pests like bollworm.

The GEAC by admitting the “possibility of variation in the Cry 1Ac expression in specific tissues” depending upon the genetic of the host has indicated the possibility of failure of Bt cotton under certain conditions.

The GEAC also admitted: “It is also a fact that Bt technology does not confer 100% elimination of bollworms and, therefore, there is a need to follow the prescribed integrated pest management (IPM) approach.”

Playing safe about its approval of Bt cotton varieties, the GEAC said: “Taking into consideration the above fact, the GEAC has taken a decision to approve the Bt hybrids on a case-by-case basis. All hybrids approved by the GEAC for release have been tested at several sites in various zones.”

It suggested that information on IPM should be included in the seed packet. It also concluded that the present practice of reviewing the performance of released Bt cotton hybrids after every three years should continue.

However in the meeting on August 10, GEAC defended Bt technology and said: “It does not mean that the Bt technology is inadequate to confer protection from bollworms in cotton plants.” It suggested CICR and Dr Kranthi to “take necessary action to counter the allegations and put the issues in proper perspective as the findings of CICR are being quoted by NGOs all over the world.

© 2005 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd.

Financial Express via Checkbiotech

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