The Hindu Business Line : `Draft biotech policy aimed at reducing research time, wastage'

A few environmental groups had objected to what they termed as carte blanche to genetically modified organism producers — a clause that said "there is no need to test a gene if it has already been used in some plant."

Philadelphia , June 20

INDIA'S draft biotechnology policy is aimed at cutting time for research to reach the people and avoiding waste of resources, according to Dr M.K. Bhan, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

"For example, the use of gene in a plant. If the gene has been used in a plant in north India, we don't want the companies to carry out a time-consuming trial again for introducing it in the South. So, we have suggested a shorter period for testing it," Dr Bhan, who is here as part of a delegation to the BIO 2005 biotechnology convention, said.

Dr Bhan's clarification comes close on the heels of fears expressed in certain quarters over the draft biotechnology policy with regard to agriculture. A few environmental groups had objected to what they termed as carte blanche to genetically modified organism producers — a clause that said "there is no need to test a gene if it has already been used in some plant."

"That clause is valid for the same plant. For example, a Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) gene introduced in a cotton variety in south India can be tested on another cotton variety in the North. However, the gene cannot be tested on some other plant, say tomato," Dr Bhan said.

Since the results of the Bt gene in cotton is in the public domain, it would not be prudent to ask companies to test it again in another part of the country for a longer period. "It will result in waste of resources. Why should there be a delay in reaching technology to farmers?"Asked about some farmers in Andhra Pradesh not reaping success with Bt cotton, Dr Bhan said, "We are told that cotton was sown in areas that were not conducive to the crop. Two, we understand that the crop was sown even after the time for sowing got over."

On the Andhra Pradesh Government's recommendation that agricultural universities should be involved in field trials of Bt cotton, he said, "We are looking into it but we also wonder if it is worth taking the trouble." Dr Bhan said clinical trials of other genetically modified crops are on as per the M.S. Swaminathan Committee's recommendations. He said the trials are on, keeping in mind the needs of the country's food safety and security.

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