The need of the hour is for an independent evaluation of the long-term impact of transgenics on farm productivity, genetic mutation and bio-safety.

Girijaa Upadhyay

Renuka Bisht

While Bt technology giant Monsanto has admitted that American pink bollworm has affected Bt cotton in four districts of Gujarat, India

Gurcharan Das / March 6, 2010, 0:51 IST

Priscilla Jebaraj

Firm asks farmers to switch to its second-generation product to delay resistance further

Pink bollworm resistant to pest-killing protein of Bt cotton in four districts

Monsanto's advice ridiculous, say scientists

New Delhi: In what is bound to strengthen environment minister Jairam Ramesh

HOW CAN A LOWLY VEGETABLE BE AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL SECURITY? IS THERE A FOREIGN HAND IN YOUR BELLY? SHOMA CHAUDHURY LAYS BARE THE COMPLEX STORY OF Bt BRINJAL AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU

While the moratorium on Bt brinjal has dealt a blow to the scientific community, there are several genetically modifided crops being developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, trials for which are on across the country. Interestingly, as they work on these GM crops, scientists bear it in mind that apart from the taste, the vegetables should also look acceptable.

Emergence of more virulent forms of pests and pathogens is also an important concern

CUDDALORE: Biotechnology cannot be a panacea for the problems confronting the agricultural sector. At the most it can be part of a solution, but, thus far it is being pushed in the wrong direction, said B.Vasantraj David, a leading pesticides scientist.