Page 2 - Gm Crops

Ever had a purple tomato? USDA approves GM crop variety for cultivation

With the approval, the crop is free from regulations and may be grown freely across the USA. However, the fruit will have to go through more scrutiny before being sold in the markets

Sharad Pawar makes strong pitch for GM crops to improve food security

Former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has made a strong pitch for use of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying ignoring advances in crop science could adversely affect the country's food security

Spreading textile hubs

Govt must focus on downturn in cotton production

Procedural issues continue to hinder commercialisation of GM crops in India

Two decades after Bt cotton made its debut in India, commercialisation of genetically modified crops remains mired in complex procedural rules

Can easing regulatory norms for gene-edited crops compromise bio-safety?

Experts working in the area clarified that the order does not completely exempt genome edited final products from regulatory oversight but instead does away with a need to get additional clearances

Central govt exempts genome-edited crops from stringent GM regulations

Genome editing was discovered back in 2012, but Indian regulators took a decade to realise its potential for developing nutritionally superior crops resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses

GM row may not affect rice exports for now; govt rules out 'contamination'

This is because the European Union (EU), from where the allegation came, accounts for very little of the country's rice export

Order restricting imports of GM items to have little impact: Experts

FSSAI last week handed down an order requiring GM-free certification for importing select food items from a competent authority in the country shipping them

Oilseed extractors want GM crop for reducing dependence on imports

India at present imports over 13 million tonnes of edible oils annually and this largely comprises crude palm oil and soybean oil.

Should GM Crops Feature in the 'Evergreen Revolution' India Dearly Needs?

K VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser to the Government of India, and M S Swaminathan discuss an article the latter recently penned arguing that GM crops are unsustainable

Policy flaw

Unapproved GM cotton seeds can spell doom

GM a powerful farm tool but address safety, other concerns first: Panel

Genetic engineering is a powerful' tool for developing future crops but before it is used for food, questions on its safety should be addressed and settled at the earliest, a high-powered official panel has recommended."GM (genetic modification) technology is a powerful tool for developing future crop varieties, with in-built genetic resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses for reducing crop losses and enhanced input use efficiency, yield potential and quality traits. Their use will be crucial for food and nutritional security of the country and, therefore, research on these must be continued, with the aim of developing safer, more productive and nutritious food crops," the panel on doubling of farmers' income has said said.It says research on GM crops should be done in a more transparent and socially inclusive manner, for wider public acceptance. Concerns of the opponents of GM technology should be addressed, to allay the concerns on food safety, environmental and economic ..

At the GM club's doorsteps

India needs a strong biotechnology regulator

Anti-GM activists demand rejection of GM mustard, submits memorandum to PM

Farmers organisations have pointed out "serious objections" to the release of GM Mustard in their memorandum.

120 organisations to demand ban on release of GM crop

Leaders from various political parties, major farmer unions, etc will join the protest to show solidarity towards the issue

Left, right coming together on GM, PSUs land sale

Last year, RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch had opposed the Modi government's land Bill

SC stays commercial release of GM mustard till October 17

Court to hear petition against release, field testing of all GM crops on that day

SC to hear plea against field trials of GM crops

Ministry gets 759 public comments on government panel's safe verdict on GM mustard

On genetically modified crops, policies go back and forth

Officials say the issue of GM traits is far too complex to be resolved at the government level

Honey cultivators oppose GM Mustard; biotech industry says fears 'unfounded'

India's honey industry has 500,000 bee keeper families on whom a million livelihoods and enterprises are dependent