Controversy over BT Brinjal continues

Jairam-RameshJairam Ramesh, Environment minister, has put freeze on the commercial cultivation of BT Brinjal which is in contrary to what Union Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan has stated in his existing research that Bt Brinjal was safe for use.

Chavan is a scientist and also insisted on the setting up of a bio-safety standards regulatory authority. The Indian Government is on the edge of setting up of the National Bio-Technology Regulatory Authority.

Story behind the issue lays down that agricultural experts and farmers' leaders underlined the need for watchfulness on the introduction of genetically modified crops and setting up of an independent bio-testing facility.

But concerns are raised over bio-safety and human reaction that these technological changes does contribute positively to the society as also Suman Sahai, Director, Gene Campaign, said, "Genetic engineering tends to break the balance and equilibrium of nature".