India Blocks GM Crop On Safety Concerns

India this week placed a moratorium on the release of Bt-brinjal, a genetically modified eggplant, until independent scientific studies can establish the long-term impact on human health, environment, and biodiversity.

According to the 9 February decision [pdf] by Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, in intense consultations, “opinions were sought from a number of scientists both from India and abroad,” and seven public meetings were organised between 13 January and 6 February. The consultations were attended by farmers, farmers organisations, scientists, state agriculture department officials, NGOs and consumer groups, allopathic and ayurvedic doctors, according to the decision.

Ramesh specified that his concern was focussed on this particular case of Bt-brinjal, and not on the larger issue of biotechnology in agriculture. The issue of safety was the prime concern as brinjal is eaten extensively in India and the eggplant belongs to a plant family that appears to contain several natural toxins that can “resurface when metabolism is disturbed.”

Monsanto India, whose share was reported down by several financial websites after the minister’s decision, said Bt-Brinjal was mostly developed by Indian biotech company Mahyco, with the gene obtained from Monsanto, according to the news agency Press Trust of India.