Expert committee suggests 10-year moratorium on GM food crop field trials

The 5-member, Technical Expert Committee appointed on the directions of Supreme Court, has recommended a 10-year moratorium on field trials of all Genetically Modified (GM) food crops.

The panel, in its interim report, suggested that the field trials should not be done till an independent committee of experts and stakeholders examines and assesses the potential hazard of herbicide tolerant crops and their suitability to India.

What is the concern of environmentalists?

• The environmentalists are concerned about the potential damage GM crops can cause to human health, to livestock and to biodiversity and the likelihood of field trials to contaminate regular crops.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2012