Moratorium on Bt brinjal wise decision: experts

Stakeholders and experts termed the government's moratorium on Bt brinjal as a "wise decision" and asked it to form a transparent and credible regulatory system to carry out tests for any probable future use.

Stakeholders and experts on Tuesday termed the government's moratorium on Bt brinjal as a "wise decision" and asked it to form a transparent and credible regulatory system to carry out tests for any probable future use.

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"I think it is a wise decision. It is appropriate to look at the problems carefully. The regulatory system has to be credible, transparent and effective," Agricultural scientist and father of the green revolution MS Swaminathan said.

He said that Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh would like to utilise the time period for studies and tests, which should be completely shared with the public.

Even as she welcomed the decision on Bt brinjal, Kavita Kurunganti, Member of GM Free India said Ramesh has to look into other GM crops also like rice.

There is a need to address the issue in a holistic manner, she said.

Swaminathan felt that the government should handle the issue on a case by case basis and not generalise.

According to PM Bhargava, Supreme Court nominee on the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, there should be an institutional set-up for the tests to be carried out on Bt brinjal.

The tests would be carried out on animals and in some cases, even monkeys. "I have personally never opposed Bt brinjal," he said but maintained that tests have to be carried out for long-term health effects.