GM Mustard safe for consumption,Activists deny

New Delhi July 31: A health safety issue is being debated.
The government has told the apex Court that Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop is safe for consumption.The government has also said that GM Mustard is not herbicide tolerant and has a proven history of safe use for more than 20 years.

Recently Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) -India’s regulator for GM products on May 11 has recommended the approval for commercial production of the crop.

However, the Environment Ministry has not taken any decision in this regard. Meanwhile, activists have made representations on this issue and said that the consumption of the crop would be harmful and proper procedures were not followed by GEAC while giving its nod.

The Government has also told that "rapeseed /canola (sister crop of mustard) hybrids based on same technology have been a major success in Canada, USA and Australia and the technology has a proven history of safe use for more than 20 years."The government in his affidavit have also said that "no multinationals or private Indian company is involved in the development of GM mustard".

However, Activists, Economists, and Scientists and health experts wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reject the commercialization of the crop. Let's hope that the government will soon take a decision in this regard.