GM Filed Trials : GEAC to do field trials of GM crops in selected Agri-University farms
The central regulator on transgenic organisms has proposed to utilize farms of select agricultural universities for field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops as a nationally-coordinated project under strict expert supervision.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the environment ministry has identified 40 agricultural universities, with big isolated farms, for the purpose. They have been chosen keeping in mind the agro-climatic zones where transgenic seeds can be put on trial with precautions.
“The idea is to convince states about field trials of such crops in a protected environment, arguing that the risks and benefits of GM crops cannot be known unless scientifically tested,” said a ministry official.
Besides central universities in Bihar (Pusa, Samastipur), UP (Jhansi) and Manipur (Imphal), state varsities in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jharkhand have been identified.
The official added that a final decision will be taken after consulting states and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). ICAR may also spare farms of its institutions.
Eminent scientist M S Swaminathan had first suggested this idea and supporting his proposal he told about the importance of the project
to provide a uniform method of assessment. At present, many such GM varieties cannot be tested despite a GEAC nod as it is up to the states to allow field trials. Officials believe that the states may agree to the new proposal as it would be done inside the protected environment within the farms of select varsities.Though GEAC has approved field trials of many transgenic varieties of rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, cotton, brinjal, mustard, potato, sugarcane and chickpea, many states preferred not to give the nod for field testing. Among states, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are strongly opposed to such field trials.
Swaminathan – the father of India’s green revolution – had said, “Sooner this is done, the greater will be the public confidence in the procedures adopted for assessing risks and benefits”. He had suggested that the project coordinators should be biosafety experts, so the trials can be assessed from the point of view of biosafety as well.
